Manila Standard - 2019 June 15 - Saturday by Manila Standard

Raptors win NBA crown, dump Warriors 114-110 OAKLAND—An upstart Toronto Raptors squad dethroned defending champion Golden State on Thursday, defeating the Warriors 114-110 to win the NBA Finals and capture the first crown by a club from outside the United States.

Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam each scored 26 points while Kawhi Leonard and reserve Fred VanVleet both had 22 as Toronto won the best-of-seven series four games to two. Leonard was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the second time in

his career after the first in 2014 with San Antonio, which traded him to Toronto last July. “Last summer I was going through a lot. I just kept working hard and had my mind set on this goal

Kawhi Leonard

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 121 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

HE Philippines and China on Friday traded barbs over the sinking of a Filipino ﬁshing boat by a Chinese vessel in the Recto Bank, with Manila saying the act was “barbaric” and Beijing criticizing the former for “politicizing” the issue.

PH, China trade barbs Manila: barbaric act; Beijing: politicizing issue

Malacanang described the sinking as a violation of international law, but said President Rodrigo Duterte has been silent on the issue because he is a “very cautious man” who makes “calibrated responses.” President Duterte’s office said the abandonment of the Filipino crew was “barbaric,” while Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana condemned the Chinese trawler’s “cowardly action.” Reports said a Chinese vessel collided with the FB Gimver1 while it was Next page

SAILING HOME. The first batch of

22 Filipino fishermen, rescued by the Vietnamese in the waters off Recto Bank (Reed Bank), abandoned after their fishing vessel F/B Gemver (inset, showing the destroyed fantail) was hit by an alleged Chinese vessel on the night of June 9. The rescued fishermen are now aboard BRP Ramon Alcaraz of the Philippine Navy for medical treatment before they go back to their respective families. Philippine Navy Photo

DOJ issues lookout bulletin vs. Kapa execs, incorporators, raps up By Rey E. Requejo

officers of Kapa Community Ministry International Inc., and three officers of THE Justice department on Friday is- the Alabel-Maasim Credit Cooperative. The issuance of the ILBO came as the sued an immigration look out bulletin against eight incorporators and eight National Bureau of Investigationa was pre-

paring the filing of criminal charges against the incorporators and officials of Kapa for violating the Securities Regulation Act. “Immigration officers are directed to monitor within all ports of exit and en-

try the movement of those covered and verify if legal basis exists to prevent them from leaving Philippine jurisdiction,” Justice Undersecretary Mark Next page

Joel Apolinario who? Ministry founder ex-DJ

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan on Friday decided to conduct a full trial of the plunder case against former Senator Jinggoy Estrada and the alleged pork-barrel scam mastermind Janet Napoles. In denying separate motions from Estrada and Napoles asking that their cases be dismissed for lack of evidence, the anti-graft court said the evidence from the Ombudsman was strong enough to warrant the holding of a full trial involving the alleged misuse of P183 million of Estrada’s Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel. “This court is convinced that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence, both testimonial and documentary, which established each element of the crime of plunder against the accused. This, if unrebutted by contrary evidence, is sufficient to support a conviction,” the court said. Estrada, who is out on bail, ran for senator but lost in the May 13 elections. In his motion, Estrada said the Ombudsman failed to prove that he allegedly misappropriated his P183 million Priority Development Assistance

By Jimbo Gulle FROM inside an ordinary provincial FM radio station disc jockey, where the eventual Kapa Community Ministry International was born, the man who founded it has knocked down front page headlines in the country’s major broadsheets. In between his hours at the turntable and fixing technical difficulties confronting the electronic equipment, Joel Apolinario thought of a project to, up on his mind, uplift the poor in his community in Bislig City in Surigao del Sur―and he named his project Kabus Padatoon, loosely translated to mean enrich the poor. Apolinario, reported to be no stranger to estafa case, had said his claimed 10 million members were all happy with the 30-percent return of investment. Next page

Graft court sets plunder trial of Jinggoy, Janet

BLOODY BATTLE. In the mountains of upland town Cervantes, 369 kilometers from Manila, Filipino soldiers serving the US Army Forces in the Philippines fought from Jan. 9 through June 14, 1945 in Cervantes, an extensive bloody clash against Japan’s occupying forces, which resulted in victory for the Filipino. (Story on Opinion page).

Rody’s Speaker bet known today

MILESTONE MARKED. Leyte 1st District Rep.-elect Martin Romualdez (right), former

Davao Rep. Anton Lagdameo, join birthday celebrator Senator-elect Christopher Go in thrusting the President Rodrigo Duterte signature fist sign during a celebration at Bugoy’s Bar and Restaurant in Davao City earlier this week. Ver Noveno

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will break his silence on his choice for House Speaker from among the three PDP-Laban aspirants on Saturday before Senator Manny Pacquiao leaves for the United States. The President told Pacquiao during last Wednesday night’s meeting in General Santos City that he will call the senator Saturday. He directed Pacquiao to wait for his call, during which he would identify his pick for Speaker. Next page

Armstrong’s moonwalk most watched event Spell ‘Wales’ the Trump way: ‘Whales’ WASHINGTON—There he blows again. President Donald Trump’s erratic spelling habits on Twitter spouted again Thursday when he Next page

PARIS—When Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon, he became the biggest live television star in history. Next page

News

MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2019

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Stop drug sale, online shops told T

HE Food and Drug Administration said Friday it had asked the online platforms Lazada and Shoppee to stop selling medicine online until they had secured proper authority, citing possible health risks.

ucts brought in by a returning Filipino worker from Hong Kong. The online markets Lazada and Shoppee were asked to “immediately cease and desist from further online selling and offering for sale drug products” until it obtained a license from the FDA, the agency said in a statement. The FDA, an agency under the Health department, said buying

medicine online would place “the lives of the general public in danger and at risk.” The agency warned the two platforms they could be cited for “direct or indirect contempt and/or other administrative sanctions” should they fail to comply with its order. The FDA also reminded the public to “exercise extreme caution” and to avoid buying health products offered online.

The agency made the statement even as Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol confirmed that the canned pork products confiscated at the Clark International Airport on March 25

had tested positive for the African Swine Fever virus. Piñol said the Bureau of Animal Industry had reported the detection of the ASF virus from the confiscated prod-

DOJ... From A1

‘Unbundle’ federalism, Teehankee tells Du30 gov’t AN ADMISSION by President Rodrigo Duterte that he may not be able to deliver on his campaign promise of federalism slammed the breaks on the plan to restructure the Philippines’ Manilacentric government. President Duterte’s longtime assistant, Senator-elect Christopher Go, had earlier acknowledged the difficulty, citing the need to educate the public further on this new system of government. Last year’s surveys showed a prevailing lack of knowledge on federalism among Filipinos, the majority of whom

were not inclined to support it. But “unbundling” the package of reforms contained in Duterte’s federalism project could still convince a wary public to give it a try, said political science professor Julio Teehankee. “Try to incrementally achieve different aspects of the federal reform movement,” he told ABS-CBN News. Teehankee acknowledged his frustration over the President’s admission, which came nearly a year after a team of mainly lawyers and academics drafted Duterte’s version of a federal Constitution.

“It’s been disappointing because just like most reform advocates, we took the President’s word that he was for real change,” he said. “If the President is saying it is impossible at this time, what hope remains for genuine change to really happen in this country if [he], despite his popularity, is saying it cannot be done?” Teehankee sat in the consultative committee led by former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, leading discussions on electoral reforms including a ban on political dynasties.

PH, China... From A1

mal maritime accident,” Empedrad said. “It could be seen in your radar that the vessel is not moving. So if the vessel is not moving, why would you ram it,” the Navy chief added. In defending Duterte’s silence, Panelo said the Recto Bank incident was more sensitive than the recent diplomatic row between Canada and the Philippines over tons of garbage a Canadian company had shipped to Manila illegally. Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros earlier criticized the President for being silent and urged him to recall the country’s representatives to China, the same way he did to Canada. Panelo said the Philippines may cut ties with China if the collision is found to be intentional. “On Canada, the issue there was only about garbage, so I think this incident at sea is more sensitive. So if you follow the action of the President, logically our ties will be affected, especially if we are not satisfied with their explanation,” he said. “We asked them to investigate the incident and take punitive actions against the wrongdoers,” the Palace spokesman said. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua promised that the incident would be thoroughly and seriously investigated. “If it were true that it was Chinese fishing boat which did it, they would be duly educated and punished for their irresponsible behavior,” the envoy said in a text message to Panelo. “Incidents happen even in the bestregulated family. We hope this incident could be held in a proper context,” he added. Panelo also denied the Chinese foreign ministry claim. “We are not politicizing that incident. What we’re focusing is on the act of abandoning, not the collision itself because collisions happen in the high seas but the act of abandoning [the fishermen] is in violation of UNCLOS, the United Nations Law on the Seas,” Panelo said in an interview. “You don’t even need an international law provision on that. It’s a human act of lending hand to somebody in dis-

tress,” he said. The Philippines has already filed a diplomatic protest and said that proper sanctions must be imposed against the Chinese crew who allegedly abandoned the 22 Filipino fishermen. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday confirmed that the Philippine government has filed a diplomatic protest over the incident. Hontiveros on Friday lashed back at Panelo, who said they did not need advice from her. “This isn’t advice on wardrobe, diet or interior design,” she said on Twitter. Since it concerns all Filipinos, “all suggestions on how best to respond should be welcomed and considered.” Senator Francis Pangilinan, Liberal Party president, urged the administration to reverse its policy of subservience and appeasement. “No self-respecting nation in the world will stay meek and docile in the face of such cruelty and aggression,” he said. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV warned that the alarming situation that could further escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea. GMA News on Friday reported that the 22 fishermen whose boat was rammed by a Chinese vessel were expected to arrive in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. The crewmen will undergo medical checkup and debriefing once they arrive in San Jose town, the report said. Panelo also thanked the crew of a Vietnamese fishing vessel in the vicinity which he said brought the Filipinos to safety. Like the Philippines, Vietnam has partial claims over the South China Sea, where Beijing has staked “indisputable sovereignty” and built artificial islands with military facilities and airstrips. Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia also have claims in the area. Reed Bank is about 150 kilometres (93 miles) off the Philippine island of Palawan. It is within Manila’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone and far from China’s nearest major landmass. With Nat Mariano, Francisco Tuyay and AFP

National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Antonio Pagatpat said Apolinaro was the subject of a string of large-scale estafa cases in 2018 which he was able to escape with the help of judges. Apolinario’s educational ledger says he studied at Mountain View College, a private, co-educational, Seventh-day Adventist college in Valencia, Bukidnon, which was established in 1949, the second Adventist

college to be established in the Philippines and the first in Mindanao. One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Kapa Community Ministry International had its birth roots at the FM radio station’s technician’s booth, with one Emmy Gala among the first to hand a donation to the group. Before long, in 2016, Apolinario, married to former public school teacher Reyna Apolinario, was able to obtain a business permit from the local government unit of Bislig City for his Kapa-Co Convenience Store and General Merchandise, renamed Kapa

Community Ministry International in March 2017, only six months after the permit was released. A month before that, the local government unit learned those who gave donations―the exact amounts were not disclosed―were getting 30-percent monthly interests, prompting then Mayor Librado Navarro to recommend an inquiry since the group had no conveniece store. From Bislig, Apolinario and his family relocated to General Santos City and left their house at Castillo Village, with an Apolinario family friend staying there.

sports title since the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays captured Major League Baseball’s World Series. “It means a lot for our city and the country and for these players,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said, who didn’t mind not winning it at home. “You get the win and you’re just happy you got it and celebrate that fact.”

The Raptors spoiled the Warriors’ farewell appearance at Oracle Arena. Golden State’s home since 1971 will be replaced by a new $1-billion venue in San Francisco next season. “To be able to celebrate with these guys is awesome,” Siakam said, his Cameroon homeland flag draped around his shoulders. AFP

War II commemorations in Britain. The error prompted a wave of hilarity online, with one Twitter critic asking if the president had made the mistake “on wrote about having recently met with porpoise.” the “Prince of Whales.” Trump, who is an enthusiastic user of That would be Charles, prince of social media and has some 61 million Wales, whom he met last week at World Twitter followers, quickly corrected the

original tweet. But his new version did not change another inaccurate reference, this time to the “Queen of England.” Elizabeth II, who hosted Trump at a state dinner in London, is actually queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of which England is only one part. AFP

Perete said in a statement. Covered by the immigration lookout bulletin were Kapa incorporators Pastor Joel Apolinario, Nonita Urbano, Junnie Apolinario, Nelia Nino, Maria Pellea Sevilla, Jouelyn del Castillo, Cristobal Barabad and Joji Jusay, as well as Kapa officers, namely Reyna Apolinario, Modie Dagala, Benigno Tipan Jr., Marnilyn Maturan, Ricky Taer, and Margie Danao. Also covered by ILBO were officers of ALAMCCo, namely Jerson Cagang, chairman; Cynthia Gomeri, corporate secretary; and Ailene Mancoa, chief finance officer. The NBI is expected to file next week before the Department of Justice criminal complaints against Kapa in connection with its alleged involvement in an investment scam. NBI National Capital Region Regional Director Cesar Bacani said they will file the appropriate cases arising from the search warrants the NBI served last Monday. Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte again ordered the closure of “Ponzilike” operations of Kapa, in which members must make a “donation” of at least P5,000 and are promised a 30-percent “blessing” every month. Calling it a “massive fraud,” the President stood pat on his order to shut down the illegal investment scheme, despite appeals from the ministry’s leaders and members who staged a prayer rally at the city sports complex Thursday. Police said about 100,000 Kapa members joined the prayer rally, coinciding with the President’s visit to General Santos City to distribute land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries in Region 12. With Macon RamosAraneta and PNA

Rody’s Speaker... From A1 PDP-Laban members who are eyeing the House speakership are former Speaker and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, Marinduque Rep. Lord Alan Velasco and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Umali Gonzales. Alvarez was ousted as the House leader on the day the President delivered his third State of the Nation Address last year. He was replaced by Pampanga congresswoman and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The other bets outside PDP-Laban are Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and returning Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano. Velasco, who was the emcee in the HNP campaign sorties in the last midterm elections in May and Romualdez, also Lakas-Christians Muslims Democrats president, were both endorsed by the Davao Mayor Sara Duterte. The two were also the top choices of party-list members who comprised 20 percent of the House membership. Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles divulged that the party-list groups are rooting for Velasco and Romualdez given their strong connections with them. Romualdez has assured the 55-strong Party-List Coalition in the House that if elected Ppeaker, he will work for proper, fair and equitable distribution of committee chairmanships and budget allocations. Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

Raptors... From A1

right here,” Leonard said. “This is why I play basketball. This is what I work hard for. I’m glad to see it all pay off.” The Raptors became the first Canadian club to win a major North American

Spell ‘Wales’... From A1

anchored near the Recto Bank Sunday, then left the 22 Filipino fishermen in open water after their boat had sunk. The Filipinos were later rescued by a Vietnamese vessel. Neither Beijing nor Manila have officially confirmed the boat involved in the hit-and-run incident was Chineseregistered. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Thursday called the incident “an ordinary maritime traffic accident” and said China was still investigating. He added, however: “If the relevant reports are true, regardless of the country from which the perpetrator came from, their behavior should be condemned.” Geng said it was irresponsible for the Philippines to “politicize the incident without verification.” Meanwhile, House Speaker and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told ANC that Duterte is taking the “right approach” on the issue. “I have full confidence in how President Duterte and [Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro] Locsin see the issue,” Arroyo told ANC’s Tina Monzon Palma in an exclusive interview to be broadcast Monday. “Take calibrated response and be as civil as they have to be. I think that’s [the] right approach,” the Speaker, who like Duterte has forged closer ties with Beijing during her presidency, said. Despite a military assessment stating the contrary, Panelo said it was still too early to conclude that the Chinese vessel intentionally rammed the Filipino boat. Still, he condemned the abandonment of the Filipino fishermen as “barbaric.” Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, the Philippine Navy Flag-Officer-in-Command, contradicted Beijing’s description of the collision, noting the Filipino vessel was anchored when it happened. “So if you based it on international rules of the road, the ship anchored has the privilege because it cannot evade, but the ship was rammed, so this is not a nor-

Joel... From A1

Armstrong’s... From A1 Officially, more than 500 million people gathered around their sets to watch him leap from the ladder of Apollo 11’s Eagle landing craft and onto the surface of the Sea of Tranquility. But as Agence France-Presse reported at the time, that figure was probably an underestimation. Experts now believe the real number was closer to 700 million, a fifth of the planet’s population at the time. Next month will mark 50 years since Armstrong’s famous phrase—”That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”—was heard around the world.

DOJ indicts dialysis firm for estafa By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Justice department on Friday indicted physician Brian Sy, the owner of WellMed Dialysis Center, for the complex crime of estafa for his involvement in the alleged ghost dialysis claims paid by Philippine Health Insurance Corp. The department indicted Sy even as Senator Richard Gordon said Friday the government’s Universal Health Care project to be funded from the recently approved Sin Tax bill might also be embroiled in a scandal similar to the “ghost dialysis” scam. To thwart a recurrence of the scam that has rocked PhilHealth, Gordon said he was looking into the possibility of amending some laws related to the matter. “It’s important that we look into that [amending some laws]. I will religiously look at what’s going on,” Gordon said. In a related development, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday stressed that the case against him for the alleged misuse of P500 million in Overseas Workers Welfare Administration funds to buy PhilHealth cards bearing the photo of former president and now outgoing Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has long been dismissed. Duque issued the statement after Senator Panfilo Lacson raised the issue on the Health secretary’s involvement in the alleged illegal purchase of PhilHealth cards, while questioning his being spared from the latest PhilHealth dialysis scandal. While President Rodrigo Duterte asked PhilHealth acting president and CEO Roy Ferrer and other Board members to resign, Lacson said he was baffled why Duque was not asked to do so. The senator also contested the apparent “selective justice” in dealing with Duque. Justice Undersecretary Mark Perete said their prosecutors had found probable cause to indict Sy, Edwin Roberto and Liezel Santos de Leon, the former employees who revealed the supposed scam, for estafa through falsification of official documents. “The investigating prosecutors found that the WellMed officers conspired in using falsified documents to collect payments from PhilHealth for alleged medical services to patients who were dead,” Perete said in a statement. Sy, Roberto, and De Leon have been in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation since Monday afternoon. Roberto and De Leon have expressed willingness to be placed under witness protection.

Graft... From A1 Fund, or pork barrel, to the fake nongovernment organizations of Napoles. He said the prosecution had no evidence that he was the mastermind behind the scheme, nor was there proof he acted in conspiracy with Napoles and his former deputy chief of staff Pauline Labayen. Ombudsman prosecutors, however, claimed that the report of the AntiMoney Laundering Council alone showed Estrada’s receipt of P70.7 million worth of kickbacks. The prosecutors pointed out that the Sandiganbayan itself found Estrada received P55.8 million. Estrada, the prosecutors said, “cannot claim there was no main plunderer in the scheme,” saying “his endorsement of the Napoles-led foundations shows he was part of the misappropriation of public funds. Napoles, on the other hand, said the prosecution has no proof the crime of plunder even exists. She has said “the lack of a main plunderer deprived her the chance to proper defend herself.” The moment was the culmination of an unprecedented 31-hour live link-up between NASA and major US TV networks. Armstrong’s first steps onto the lunar landscape on July 21, 1969 were followed second-by-second by viewers across the globe, with the notable exception of China and the old Soviet bloc. Normal life across the planet stopped for those special moments, AFP reported, with Japan’s Emperor Hirohito interrupting a ritual walk with his empress to watch it. The mission was covered in exhaustive detail over a marathon eight days of broadcasts from the last-minute preparations and the lift-off, to the moonwalk and return to Earth. AFP

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South Korean misdeclared waste returned on June 30

PRESIDENTIAL ORDER.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte tells his security detail to remove the bullet-proof barrier while delivering his speech during the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award to the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries at the Lagao Gymnasium in General Santos City on Thursday. Malacañang Photo

By Maricel V. Cruz PHILIPPINE and South Korean officials have agreed to ship out by June 30 more than 5,000 tons of garbage from the Phividec Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental. The garbage will be shipped out through the Port of Tagoloan, some distance away from Cagayan de Oro City. Under the agreement between Filipino and South Korean officials, VerdeSoko, the logistics company that brought in the garbage, will rebag and transport the unwanted materials from the Phividec industrial park to the Port of Tagoloan in shipping containers. The South Korean officials, on the other hand, promised to provide a ship that would take the garbage back to their country upon notification that the unwanted materials were ready for shipping. The agreement was arrived at during a meeting attended by Director General Yeong-Dae Jung of South Korea’s Ministry of Environment, Rep. Juliet Uy of Misamis Occidental, Customs District Collector Floro Calixihan, Mindanao Container Terminal Port Collector John Simon, Misamis Oriental Provincial Board Member Gerardo Sabal III, and Abbas Lao of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau’ office in Northern Mindanao. Meanwhile, the EcoWaste Coalition, an environmental health and justice group, welcomed the agreement reached by the two sides toward the repatriation of 5,177 tons of illegal traffic waste originating from the latter. At a bilateral meeting Friday in Tagoloan and chaired by Port Collector John Simon, government officials from the two countries agreed to return the waste, which is part of the illegal waste cargoes falsely declared as “plastic synthetic flakes” with a total combined weight of 6,500 tons, that arrived in Northern Mindanao in July and October 2018.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pag-IBIG earns record high opinion from COA P AG-IBIG Fund has earned a seventh consecutive highest opinion from state auditors, setting yet another record in the Fund’s 38-year history.

In June, the Commission on Audit transmitted a copy of the results of the audit of the accounts and transactions of Pag-IBIG Fund for the year 2018. State auditors gave Pag-IBIG Fund an unmodified opinion, which is the best opinion that a government agency or corporation can receive from COA. “The Auditor rendered an unmodified opinion on the fairness of the presentation of the financial statements of HDMF [Home Development Mutual Fund] for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017,” read the letter of Director Ma. Lisa P. Inguillo, officer-in-charge of COA’s Social Security Services and Housing Cluster. “For the seventh consecutive year, COA

has granted on Pag-IBIG Fund its highest opinion on our financial statements. This milestone is yet another proof that PagIBIG Fund is working hard to serve our members while maintaining the integrity and sustainability of the Filipino workers’ fund which is in line with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s directive for all government offices to maintain a corruptfree operation in serving the people,” said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, concurrent Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees. From 2012 to 2017, COA has rendered unqualified opinions on Pag-IBIG Fund’s financial statements and an unmodified opinion for the year 2018.

Auditors use both the unqualified opinion and unmodified opinion to mean that the financial statements of a company or agency are presented, in all material respects, in accordance with applicable financial reporting frameworks. “Pag-IBIG Fund had a record-breaking year in 2018! We posted record-highs in net income amounting to P33.17 billion, housing loan takeout worth P75.3 billion which benefitted 90,375 members, short-term loans totaling P49.23 billion which aided 2.43-million members, and members’ savings collections of P40.27 billion. Achieving record feats and earning yet another highest recognition from COA truly makes 2018 our best-year ever,” said Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Acmad Rizaldy P. Moti. In the first three months of 2019, PagIBIG Fund disbursed a record-high P11.67 billion in multi-purpose loans, otherwise known as cash loans, to assist 571,681 members.

UNICEF cheers PH gov’t for protecting children UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund has commended the Philippine government in taking the next critical step toward improving the plight of children in conflict zones. The commendation followed the recent signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the law to protect Children in Situations of Armed Conflict. UNICEF, in a statement, said it supported the government’s Inter Agency Committee for the CSAC, led by the Council for the Welfare of Children in the nationwide consultation process and drafting of the IRR of Republic Act 11188. UNICEF Chief for Child Protection Grace Agcaoili congratulated the committee, saying “the release of the IRR of this first-ever comprehensive national law on CSAC is further proof of the government’s commitment to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.” She also reaffirmed UNICEF’s support in implementing the law as it marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. “A very exciting and challenging work awaits the government at this crucial stage of implementation, and to focus on the priorities identified in the IRR,” she added in the statement. CWC Executive Director Mitch Cajayon-Uy said “We are confident that this law will enable us to strengthen our mechanism to place special emphasis on the rights of these children, toward building a caring and protective society for, by and with the children, with the recognition that they need a peaceful environment to thrive.” Child rights advocates, under the umbrella alliance Child Rights Network, expressed optimism with the release of the IRR and called on its partners to “help ensure that the law will be fully implemented at the soonest possible time.”

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC The general public is warned not to be misled by fraudulent and unauthorized documents which purportedly show that certain individuals have been authorized by HUANG HSIANG DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (“HHDC”) to sell or mortgage the parcels of land located in the City of Manila covered by Transfer Certificates of Title (“TCT”) Nos. 208479, 208480, 208481 and 208482 registered in HHDC’s name (the “Subject Properties”). HHDC has discovered a purported Board Resolution, Secretary’s Certificate, and Special Power of Attorney stating that the Subject Properties are allegedly for sale or mortgage and that certain individuals have allegedly been authorized by HHDC to transact for this purpose. Please be advised that HHDC is not selling or mortgaging the Subject Properties, and no person has been authorized to sell or mortgage the Subject Properties. The above-mentioned documents are all fictitious, unauthorized, void and do not bind HHDC. HHDC has written the Registry of Deeds for the City of Manila to make it clear that HHDC is not selling or mortgaging the Subject Properties, that no person has been authorized to sell or mortgage the same, and to request it to refrain from performing any act pursuant to the fictitious and unauthorized documents. Despite HHDC’s previous clarifications which have clearly and repeatedly indicated that HHDC is not selling or mortgaging the Subject Properties in the Notice to the Public which were published in Philippine Star and Philippine Daily Inquirer on 3, 10 and 17 March 2019, we regret to learn that a certain client of a local law firm may have been misled to believe that HHDC is selling the Subject Properties, when it is not. We hereby advise the public to be prudent in verifying whether the persons representing themselves to be acting on behalf of HHDC are, in fact, duly authorized by HHDC. HHDC reserves all its rights and remedies, including the filing of the appropriate criminal and administrative cases under the Revised Penal Code and/or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, against private individuals and public officials who will cause undue injury or prejudice to HHDC by causing or attempting to cause any transfer, mortgage or any other transaction in relation to the Subject Properties on the basis of the fraudulent and unauthorized documents. For any questions or concerns, please contact Attys. Louie T. Ogsimer, Dino Ricardo T. De Los Angeles and/or Sienna A. Flores of Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & de los Angeles at +632-555-9555. (MS-JUNE 15 & 22, 2019)

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SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019

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Zagu shake and social injustice I ENJOY my Zagu sago shake but not if it is produced and served in a cloud of social injustice. This year, Zagu Food Corp. celebrated its 20th anniversary in business. Over the course of two decades, Zagu has turned itself into a major Filipino brand, its signature sago shake becoming a staple refreshment for millions of Pinoys all over the country. It should be just a matter of time before the brand goes global. Unfortunately, that is not likely as we are seeing in the labor unrest that is rocking the company, including the way it has responded to its workers’ just demand.

The fight of the Zagu workers for regularization is a fight against a system that harms the entire Filipino working class. It goes without saying that Zagu Food Corp.’s success is an outcome among others of the immense productivity of its workers—its drivers, machine operators, and sales staff. But have they benefited from the growth of the company? Last week, on June 6, the members of the Organization of Zagu Workers—Solidarity of Unions in the Philippines for Empowerment and Reform began their strike, a response to Zagu managements’ attempts to bust their union. As told to me by a close relative who is one of the union organizers, ORGANIZA-SUPER is a legitimate labor organization affiliat-

ed with labor center Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, and is composed of Zagu rank-and-file workers. These are the people who mix the raw materials, who deliver them to the hundreds of Zagu outlets all over the country, and who prepare and sell the shakes to the customers. The impetus for the workers’ decision to unionize was the issue of contractualization. Zagu employs over 600 contractual workers as machine operators, drivers, warehouse staff, and service crew. Many of these workers have been with Zagu for more than a decade, and are still deemed contractual. Zagu management has defended itself by claiming that these workers are regular employees of various “co-operatives” and manpower agencies, and that Zagu is only where they have been deployed. The union has rebutted this by pointing out that the agencies are not compliant supply with DOLE regulations, not even supplying their own equipment or supervisors in the workplace. The workers decided to unionize so that they could fight for regularization through the proper legal channels. However, almost immediately after making themselves public, the union found itself under attack by Zagu management. Union members received threats that if they continued with their activities, they would be terminated. Zagu management began dealing out offi disciplinary memos to the union officers for things as frivolous as distributing educational material about the union to the other workers. Since January, the union has tried resolving the issue through negotiations with management. However, after months of negotiation, management continued to lay the groundwork for mass termination of the union members. Seeing that the management were not negotiating in good faith, ORGANIZA voted to begin their strike. As of today, ORGANIZA-SUPER has been on strike for more than a week.

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

All’s not well

HIS is the kind of issue that merits condemnation from anybody, whatever one’s political persuasions may be. Earlier this month we heard allegations that the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., the government body tasked to provide universal healthcare insurance to Filipinos, was paying money to private dialysis centers for treating patients who had either completed their prescribed treatments, or who had died. A former employee of WellMed Dialysis & Laboratory Center Corp. said PhilHealth had been approving and releasing payments for ghost patients. On Monday, Bryan Sy, WellMed owner, was arrested, and the Justice department indicted him and two others—including the former employee who had exposed

the scam—Friday for estafa through falsification of documents. President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his disgust at the scandal, and has said PhilHealth’s structure may be revamped to ensure no similar scams happen in the future. The President has asked PhilHealth acting president and CEO Roy Ferrer and other Board members to resign, even as some quarters are questioning why Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has been spared. It would be a stretch of the imagination to expect these officials to resign out of the principle of command responsibility, whether they were directly involved or

blissfully unaware of the modus. In this part of the world, resignation is looked upon as a weakness or a tacit admission of guilt or failure. The near-universal reaction to the unconscionable act of directing much-needed medical funds to the pockets of the scheming parties is to be expected. What decent person robs truly sick people of the help they badly need? What bears watching, however, is the action undertaken long after the outrage has been trained on other issues. Will the responsible parties be brought to justice, regardless of their positions or connections? Will better structures and processes ensure that scams like these will be prevented in the future? Too-loud condemnation that does not give way to real solutions is a lasting malady, indeed.

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Gaming the Party-List Law: The Duterte Youth case THIS is about how the Duterte Youth is gaming the party-list law and making a mockery of the electoral process. This group is headed by Ronald Cardema, known as a rabid supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte. Cardema was appointed as Chair of the National Youth Commission (NYC). Duterte Youth’s (DY) application for accreditation for the party-list election was first denied by the Commission on Election’s Second Division. The ruling was appealed, and the Comelec en-banc overturned it on Jan. 29, 2019 enabling DY to run in the last party-list elections as a sectoral party for the youth. It won a seat in the House of Representatives. The first three nominees originally submitted to the poll body were: Ducielle Marie D. Suarez; Joseph M. De Guzman; and Benilda C. De Guzman. The first nominee is Cardema’s wife and the last in their list is also a relative of Cardema. Following the party-list law, the victory of DY should have meant that Suarez will sit in the HOR. However, on May 12, 2019, the group’s original nominees, all five of them, filed their withdrawal notice with the Comelec citing incapacity as their reason for the “resignation.” On the same day, the Notice of Substitution was filed at around 5:30 p.m. The new DY nominees to replace the original ones are: Ronald Cardema, Gian Carlo Galang, Catherine Santos, Kerwin Pagaran, Sharah Shan Makabali, and Allan Kevin Payawal. The withdrawal and substitution created the present controversy. Was the substitution legal? Is Cardema qualified to represent the youth group considering that he is already 34 years old and beyond the age limit clearly set forth by the PL law as a qualification for a youth nominee? While the Supreme Court ruled that groups need not organize along sectoral lines to qualify to run for PL elections, it did not remove the qualifications for a youth representative spelled out in Sec. 9 of the law, Qualification of Party-List Nominees that says, …”In case of a nominee of the youth sector, he must at least be twenty-five but not more than

thirty (30) years of age on the day of the election. Any youth sectoral representative who attains the age of thirty during his term shall be allowed to continue until the expiration of his term.” As already said, Ronald Cardema, Duterte Youth Chair is already 34 years old and not qualified to sit as a youth representative. More than ten petitions opposing Cardema’s substitution were received by the Comelec including those from the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP); College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines (CEGP); Youth Act Now Against Tyranny; the Student Regent of the University of the Philippines (UP) System; and, Tindig—University of Santo Tomas (UST). On social media, opposition to Duterte Youth’s and Cardema’s machinations remain strong.

It’s a mockery of the law. with The matter of the filing of the withsubsti drawal of original nominees and substitution of new nominees is controversial. Comelec Resolution No. 8665 provides that pleadings, motions, and all other documents may be filed only during the office hours of regular working days. The withdrawal notices were filed on May 12, 2019, a Sunday. The Notice of Substitution was filed on the same day at around 5:30 p.m. Clearly, Sunday is not a regular working day, and 5:30 p.m. is already beyond Comelec office hours. As said by Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, the filing of Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) of the substitutes were not in accordance with the rules. Despite these clear violations of COMELEC Resolution No. 8665, on June 4, the poll body met and with a vote of 5-1-1, approved DY’s petition for substitution of nominees. Comm. Guanzon was the lone dissenter while Comm. Luie Tito Guia abstained. Guia said that his vote is consistent with his earlier vote denying the application for accreditation of DY. The ruling of the COMELEC is puzzling to say the least. The poll body allowed itself to be Turn to A5

EvEryman

Recalling the biggest victory by PH guerrillas By Ben Cal (First of two parts) MANILA—Not known to many, the Battle at Bessang Pass that lasted for almost six for months in 1945 was the biggest victory scored by Filipino guerrillas against the mighty Japanese Imperial Forces in World War II. Yet it is not given prominence in terms of national day celebration each and every Filipino should be proud of. Bessang Pass is a mountain fortress more than 5,000 feet high in Ilocos Sur. It was occupied by Japanese forces during the Pacific War.

For over three years starting in 1942, Filipino and American guerrillas tried to recapture the mountain fortress to no avail every time they approached Bessang Pass. The Japanese fired their heavy artillery, forcing them to retreat. The Filipino guerrillas were known for their bravery in combat—but they lacked in firepower. This was addressed only when the US submarine USS Gar secretly landed in La Union in November 1945 and unloaded thousands of high-powered weapons for the Filipino guerrillas. In January 1945, the Filipino guerrillas started their offensive to retake Bessang Pass, but it took them almost six months

to capture the vital mountain fortress on June 14, 1945 following the fierce gun battle with the guerrillas defeating the Japanese. Articles were written about the Bessang Pass victory but it was only in 2009 that a detailed account of the epic battle was written. This was when interviewed, one–on-one, some of the guerrilla survivors at that time through the efforts of retired Army Lt. Gen. Nesty G. Carolina, administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), who helped in contacting the living survivors for interview. Following are the stories of the FiliTurn to A5

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SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019

PhilHealth again JUST as the nation was elated by the enactment of the Universal Health Care Law, we are shocked with this disgusting revelation on the massive fraudulent transactions involving PhilHealth. Instinctively, one would wonder how long and how rampant these “ghost dialysis” claims have been going on. Perhaps for many years already? Other than the “ghost dialysis” claims, it is not remote that there could be many more medical reimbursements filed by scrupulous individuals or syndicates, in cahoots with PhilHealth employees, before the said agency. Was it even possible for the perpetrators to keep the scam from the knowledge of the PhilHealth’s top management at the

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pino guerrillas extracted from the book Victory at Bessang Pass published by Art Angel Printshop Quests, Inc. written by his writer. *** In the twilight years of his life at 92, former Philippine Constabulary Brig. Gen. Emilio Narcise, the intrepid underground leader who led a 100-man guerilla fighter group in the final assault of Bessang Pass, the last stronghold of the Japanese in northern Luzon in the waning months of World War II, recalled vividly the adrenaline rush of pride for love of country when he planted a flag at the peak of the historic mountain when guerilla forces captured it on June 14, 1945 after a long and fierce gun battle. The epic battle was dubbed as the biggest victory scored by the guerillas against the Japanese Imperial Army during the entire war. The Filipino victory at Bessang Pass hastened the surrender of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, the commander of the Japanese Imperial Army in the Philippines, on Sept. 2, 1945. Yamashita was known as the “Tiger of Malaya” for his brilliance in military tactics and strategy that enabled Japan to conquer many countries in Asia during the Pacific War. The Japanese’s crushing defeat at Bessang Pass came exactly 170 days after Japan suffered its biggest debacle in the war during the battle at Leyte Gulf known as the world’s greatest naval warfare in history on Oct. 23-26, 1945. The victory at Bessang Pass was a culmination of a long struggle by Filipino and Americans forces who suffered a humiliating defeat in the hands of the Japanese in Bataan and Corregidor on April 9, 1942 and May 6, 1942, respectively, and the infamous “Death March” that followed from the Bataan Peninsula to Capas, Tarlac in Central Luzon where thousands of Filipino and American prisoners of war (POW) died along the way, either due to extreme hunger, dehydration, dysentery, diarrhea and other diseases. But many suffered the fate of being shot or bayoneted because they could no longer walk due to exhaustion. When Japanese forces occupied northern Luzon early in the war, they made Bessang Pass into a jungle fortress because of its strategic location and natural obstacles surrounding the mountain. Besides, Bessang Pass is also the gateway to the Cordillera mountain ranges where

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mocked by Duterte Youth. Guanzon has since clarified that the June 4 ruling only applies to the validity of the withdrawal and substitution and NOT to the qualification of Cardema as a youth representative. This is another matter that Comelec needs to decide on. Since the start of the controversy about Cardema’s age, he has since been claiming that DY also represents “professionals” not just the youth. Therefore, he is qualified to represent the professionals. Obviously, this is to go around the law. For an organization to get accredited for the party-list election, it is required to submit documents to the COMELEC on the nature and character of the group. If in its submitted documents, DY described itself as an organization of youth and professionals that seeks to represent these sectors, then Cardema may have found the way directly to the HOR. That is a big IF. DY’s papers indicate that its official name is “Duterte YOUTH and YOUNG Professionals” (emphases added). Cardema conveniently forgets the qualifier “young” in reference to professionals in his attempt to fool the public. The Dissenting Opinion of Comm. Rowena Guanzon in the matter of withdrawal with substitution of all the nominees of Duterte Youth Party-List clearly expounds on the group’s character as that of a YOUTH organiza-

An ominous warning

extent it was carried out? Would this have been discovered if not for the two whistleblowers who exposed the racket? A few years ago, PhilHealth was also the center of media attention when its officials were accused of receiving hefty bonuses and allowances ranging from hundreds of thousands to a million pesos every month. Those culprits were investigated but most of them got off the hook. One of them even ran for public office and is now a senator. This is precisely why government agencies and government-owned-andcontrolled corporations must be 100percent transparent to the public. PhilHealth officials who deny culpability must be held accountable for these horrible crimes. No excuses. It’s unthinkable what agony dialysis patients and their families go through in search of ways to cover for the costs of dialysis, treatment and hospitalization.

Thousands of poor patients could hardly be accommodated at crowded government facilities, like the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. And then we hear that a number of unscrupulous private medical companies have been charging PhilHealth, raking in millions of pesos for nonexistent services to dead or non-existent patients. Only one service provider, the Wellmed Dialysis Center, has been implicated but there are likely more entities engaged in the irregularities in connivance with PhilHealth insiders. This scam, as well as other forms of abuse of funds by the agency, has to stop. After all, these funds are hard earned contributions of the millions of Filipinos. I hope this administration can finally put an end to PhilHealth’s misery of being the milking cow of its officials and now, the syndicates.

gold, timber and other natural resources abound. It has also a short cut route to Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines. Bessang Pass is part of the town of Cervantes in the province of Ilocos Sur some 250 kilometers north of Manila. Following the fall of Bataan, it was the obsession of the Filipino and American guerilla forces to retake the country, including Bessang Pass. They had made several attempts for over three years but to no avail. Many of those who attempted to penetrate the highly guarded mountain fortress did not return alive. Japanese sentries posted at strategic advance posts spotted the guerillas and cut them down several kilometers away. Artillery and mortar bombardment were the nemesis of the guerillas. It was like a chasm of great divide that resistance fighters crossing a demarcation line was courting disaster. But despite the series of debacles this did not stop them from trying again and again to attack Bessang Pass. It was their sheer raw courage that pushed them to meet head-on the insurmountable odds to the point of sacrificing their lives for the sake of freedom and democracy to prosper for the unborn Filipinos. For over three long years tactical planning continued without let-up. While they have the manpower, they miserably lacked the necessary logistics, particularly guns and bullets. While many parts of the country were liberated from the clutches of the Japanese invaders, the enemy was still active in northern Luzon where Gen. Yamashita and thousands of his troops were making a last stand in many areas, particularly at Kiangan and Bessang Pass. It was in Kiangan where Gen. Yamashita held his ground. Japanese resistance was strong. But in late November 1944, the USS Gan 206, a US submarine carrying cache of firearms and ammunition for the resistance movement, sneaked into the waters of China Sea off the coast of f La Union and successfully delivered the war materiel. The unloading of weapons was a shot in the arm for the struggling guerillas. Hopes were high that at last the long wait was over. Jubilant filled the air in many guerilla camps as they looked forward to D-Day. By early January of 1945, the guerillas started their offensive against Japanese patrols and garrisons in the Ilocos region. For five months a series of battles occurred in these areas with the guerillas gaining the upper hand. The series of pockets of victories of the guerillas gave them more courage to pursue their mission. The units involved in the military operation to retake Bessang Pass were the

famed 121st Infantry of the 3rd Regiment of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon (USAFIPNL), the First Battalion of the 123rd Infantry, the 15th Infantry, the 66th Infantry, the Provisional Battalion, the 122nd Field Artillery Battalion and the First Field Artillery Battalion. All these forces belonged to USAFIP-NL under the command of Col. Russel W. Volchmann, who was responsible to a large extent for the organization of Filipino and American forces in the Philippines to conduct guerilla warfare against the well-armed Japanese Imperial Army. But the advance attacking force was the unit of Capt. Narcise, company commander of Company “L” composed of 100 men. Its mother unit was the 121st Infantry of the 3rd Regiment of USAFIP. “It was a battle I will never forget the rest of my life,” Gen. Narcise said as he recounted the bravery displayed by Filipino guerillas in the final assault of Bessang Pass 65 years ago. The guerillas had to contend with three artillery pieces of the Japanese. Each had a range of over 20 kilometers. The ear-splitting sound of the howitzers alone was more than scary enough. A direct hit would blow up a man to pieces. This is how deadly these 105mm cannons are. But the guerillas had a mission—capture Bessang Pass at all costs. Thorough tactical planning was on the work. Intelligence was given emphasis as it spells victory or defeat. The final assault on Bessang Pass was carried for two weeks from June 1 to 14, 1945. The guerillas had to fight their way before reaching their final objectives. The Filipino guerillas gave it all as the Japanese resistance had considerably weakened following sustained attacks by the guerillas, day in and day out with air and artillery fire support from the Americans. It was the first time the guerilla movement had experienced of such massive air cover in the history of the war. It was a close quarter fierce combat, making it the most brutal fight in living memory in northern Luzon if not the whole country during the three-year guerilla warfare. Capt. Narcise had with him 100 resistance fighters that made the final assault on Bessang Pass in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, where the Japanese had established their last line of defense after they suffered defeat after defeat, particularly in the battle of Leyte Gulf.

tion. Guanzon wrote: “Duterte Youth was granted registration as a sectoral party representing the Youth Sector In its Petition, Duterte Youth described the character, nature, and status of its organization as a youth group which advocates and represents the youth sector: 6. The DUTERTE YOUTH is the leading and most vocal youth group in the Philippines …. When many of today’s youth organizations in the country are active in rallying against the government …. and even the only youth Party-List, is known for its mobilization for anti-government activities and in further orienting the youth on how to support and join the armed rebellion, the DUTERTE YOUTH is here to strongly advocate for the orientation and mobilization of the millions of Filipino Youth to become disciplined, nationalistic, and to become great visionary leaders for their communities, for our generation, and for our nation. The DUTERTE YOUTH … will be the partner of COMELEC on its voter education advocacies for the youth, and will be the direct partners of the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in uplifting the millions of Filipino Youth and Young Professionals, which is now the so-called millennial generation of our nation. 7. The DUTERTE YOUTH is recognized … as their direct youth partner in advocating against illegal drugs & criminality among youth communities.

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

(Continued tomorrow) Mr. Cal is the author of the book “Battle of Bessang Pass.”

Several Governors, Congressmen, and Mayors have already partnered with the Duterte Youth in its strong nation-building advocacy for the Filipino Youth ... Since 2016, media reporters have recognized DUTERTE YOUTH as the youth group that they can contact and feature for news articles regarding nation-building programs for the youth …” DY’s own papers submitted to the COMELEC are replete with proof that it is a youth organization seeking to represent the youth. Whoever represents it in the HOR must meet the qualifications required by law. Duterte Youth is gaming the party-list law. From day one, the plan was Cardema to substitute his wife who was the original first nominee. All original nominees needed to “resign” to give way to Cardema because if only the first nominee resigned, then the next nominee should take over. This was the reason why DY’s original nominees were close to Cardema. They were dummies. Cardema was not in the original list because he was the NYC Chair and as such, could not be part of the list as he would be considered resigned based on the law. While in NYC, he could use public resources to campaign for DY. The Duterte Youth is making a mockery of the law and Comelec itself. This should not be allowed. After all, Cardema is disqualified from becoming a youth representative. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

THE Reed or Recto Bank in that area of South China Sea is a table mount off the coast of Palawan but within the country’s exclusive economic zone. The area covers about 8,866 kilometers and is mostly submerged. Lately, the shallow body of water has drawn much attention, and the basis for which the Philippines, China, Vietnam and Taiwan have intensified their claim is not about sovereignty. Rather, it is the discovery by the US Geological Survey indicating that the territory contains significant deposits of undiscovered hydrocarbon. The USGS assessment estimates that anywhere between 0.8 and 5.4 (means 2.5) billion barrels of oil and between 7.6 and 55.1 (mean 25.5) trillion cubic feet (tcf) of natural gas lies underneath the area. The whole of South China Sea is estimated to contain approximately 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 tcf of natural gas. If one may recall, in November 2018, President Duterte and China’s President Xi Jinping witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding by the country’s secretary of foreign affairs Teddy Locsin and China’s foreign minister Wang Yi. The draft of the agreement was obtained and released by opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV stating in broad terms that “the joint exploration in the West Philippine Sea would be in accordance with the principles of “mutual respect, fairness and mutual benefit, flexibility, pragmatism and consensus.” Since under the law of the sea, no sovereignty can be imposed by any state over a body of water, both the Philippine and China enjoy their natural advantage over the area. The Reed Bank is situated within the country’s exclusive economic zone, but outside the demarcated line in the Treaty of Paris signed between Spain and the US on Dec. 10, 1898. The demarcation became the map of the Philippine archipelago to date, except that it was amended in the 1973 Constitution when Sabah was included as part of the archipelago by “historic right and legal title” as basis for our claim. China’s right over the area is based on what it claims as the “nine-dash line” and was somewhat reinforced for the fact that the line is outside the demarcation in the Paris Treaty. The problem is that before the Philippines signed that MOU with China, the Department of Energy has been issuing service contracts to the stateowned PNOC and to several foreign firms engaged in the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas in the area but mostly within the country’s EEZ. The DOE issued service contract 72 granting PXP Energy Corporation, which is controlled by Manuel V. Pangilinan, to explore oil and gas within the same area of the Reed or Recto Bank. For inexplicable reasons, the DOE also issued Service Contract 57 in favor of PNOC. According to Malacañang, Service Contract 57 covers northwest of Palawan while service contract 72 refers to the Reed Bank proper. SC 57 is located accordingly in a non-contested area while Reed Bank is disputed which requires an agreement from other parties for the deal to materialize. Unexpectedly, the DOE issued a stop order calling it “force majeure” for Service Contract 72 in 2014. Many believe PNOC wants to enter into partnership for service contract 57 with China’s CNOOC. Such exploration activity in the area could spell disaster to PXP Energy Corp. One must consider that the MOU we signed with China has reference to Section 2, Article XII of the Constitution. China is amenable to the 60-40 provision which is in our favor. But would that proposition hold

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through with PXP Energy Corporation, a private firm, if it demand sharing with PNOC similar to CNOOC and based on the Section 2, Article XII of the Constitution? Remember, PXP Energy has a 77.5 percent controlling stake, which in turn has a 70 percent interest, in SC 72. We can only speculate that CNOOC’s joint venture with PNOC will not serve the interest of private firms like what the past administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo did to allocate 90 percent of the shares of Malampaya natural gas project to Shell Corp., Chevron-Texaco and lately to the Lopez-owned EDC. PNOC in the end was given a paltry share of less than 5 percent just to keep the tab open for capitalization in gross violation of the Constitution they them-

What was our ship doing in the area anyway? selves amended. This also clarifies why Service Contract 72 was halted for fear that China might be giving a greater share that will only end up in the hands of private firms. Some even suspect that former foreign affairs secretary Albert Del Rosario has stakes in PXP Energy Corporation, and this is why the project has been sailing through rough waters. The incident such as the ramming of the Philippine vessel is an ominous sign that the country’s joint venture agreement with China for oil and gas exploration may not be in for a good start. Nobody could say it was intentionally rammed or that it was even a Chinese vessel that rammed our ship. What surprises many is that US media, Rappler, ABS-CBN, GMA-7, local CNN, and their local political analyst on the South China Sea, Jay Batongbacal, were all quick to conclude it was a Chinese vessel that rammed our ship as if they were on board ship it happened. Moreover, there are many questions why the ship was anchored in that area in the wee hours of the night. Most silly is the statement made by defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana blaming China for the incident. To quote he said, “We condemn in the strongest terms the cowardly action of the Chinese fishing vessel and its crew for abandoning the Filipino crew. This is not the expected action from a responsible and friendly people.” Many are wondering how Lorenzana managed to identify the vessel Chinese or much more classify it as fishing boat when the crew members admitted the incident occurred in the darkness of night. After realizing there was serious flaws in his knee-jerk reaction, he suddenly retracted claiming he was unsure it was a Chinese vessel that rammed our ship. For want of evidence identifying the vessel that rammed our ship, the good question is, what was our ship doing in that area? It cannot be said it was fishing because the crew admitted it was on anchor. Could it be said there was provocation that prompted the other to ram our vessel? I am asking because there has been an incident before where our fishing boats harassed Chinese coast guard vessels forcing them to use water cannons to disperse the Filipino bancas. The demand for harsh and drastic response as what opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros described as “despicable and inhumane” is exactly what they want, which is to militarize the area to put to a naught the agreement. In which case, the US should congratulate its proxy for stalling China’s move to expand our oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea. rpkapunan@gmail.com

of tenure. And it is only natural that so long as these conditions exist, workers will fight back. That is why in a previous column I opposed the Security of Tenure bill passed by the Senate whose version was unfortunately adopted in toto by the House of Representatives. That bill sets us back years in defeating endo. The fight of the Zagu workers for regularization is not just their own. It is a fight against a system that harms the entire Filipino working class. If the Zagu workers win this struggle, it would be a victory for all the victims of contractualization. A loss would only embolden those who seek to profit from denying their workers security of tenure. It is in the interest of both the union and management to settle this dispute in a just and timely manner. Zagu management should return to the negotiation table, and ensure that its workers are treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve. Until then, it is up to the general public to put pressure on the management and support the Zagu workers in their struggle for their basic rights. If that means boycotting Zagu products until they meet union demands, then so be it.

Since starting their strike, the workers have reported that they have been under constant attack and harassment by management staff, both on the picket line and online. Despite this, the workers are firm in their conviction that they are on the right side of this dispute, and open to negotiating a win-win settlement for both the union and the management. Indeed, it is management that has maintained a hard line in negotiations, even skipping one of the scheduled DOLE hearings. Why should the average Filipino care about the Zagu strike? There is, of course, an ethical dimension to this issue. The fact that Zagu’s success is built on exploitative workplace conditions and the precarity of its workers should be enough to move us to action. But more than this, the Zagu strike is a perfect example of the consequences of the trilateral work arrangement, where workers are “deployed” to businesses by manpower agencies that function as nonvalue-adding middlemen. So long as the government continues to permit trilateral employment, millions of Filipino workers will continue to toil in precari- Facebook Page: Professor Tony La Viña ous work conditions without any security Twitter: tonylavs

News

SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2019

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Fullido ready for ‘sexual harassment’ trial—Jimenea

IN BRIEF SC fines dead court worker for tardiness A COURT employee slapped with an administrative complaint for habitual tardiness has been ordered fined by the Supreme Court although he had already died. In its five-page decision, the high court in the administrative case against the late Rodrigo P. Jornacion, a process server at the Branch 152, Regional Trial Court, Pasig City, said “considering... that the penalty of suspension can no longer be imposed in view of Jornacion's untimely demise, as well as the other circumstances of the case, the penalty of fine equivalent to his salary for one month is imposed upon him.” The fine is to be deducted from whatever monetary benefits he may be entitled to under the law, the court noted. “As punctuality is a virtue, absenteeism and tardiness are impermissible. By reason of the nature and functions of their office, officials and employees must be role models in the faithful observance of the constitutional canon that public office is a public trust,” the tribunal said. PNA

Du30 vows to give away more gov’t lands GENERAL SANTOS CITY—President Rodrigo R. Duterte has vowed to distribute more government-owned lands to the people through the expanded agrarian reform program. Speaking before agrarian reform beneficiaries at the city gymnasium here Thursday, the President said he has directed the Department of Agrarian Reform to survey all available public lands and “give them to the people.” He said DAR, under Secretary John Castriciones, already processed and distributed about 700,000 hectares of lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms, benefiting more than 300,000 farmers. “My order was for all governmentowned lands to be given to you. As long as the land is government-owned, it shall be given away,” the President said. “Everywhere all throughout the Philippines, we are giving away land titles to you,” he said. Duterte was here to personally hand over land titles covering some 24,000 hectares of public lands in Region 12 (Soccsksargen), the biggest so far under the program, according to DAR officials. PNA

BI agents bar fugitive Chinese in PH IMMIGRATION officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport barred a Chinese fugitive from entering the country as he is wanted by authorities in Beijing for economic crimes. Wu Chuqui was intercepted at the NAIA Terminal 3 upon his arrival aboard a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong, according to BI-Interpol chief lawyer Rommel Tacorda. The 42-year-old Wu, who is in the Interpol’s red notice list of wanted fugitives, was immediately excluded and booked on the first available Cathay Pacific flight back to Hong Kong where he was later arrested by Chinese authorities. “We informed our Chinese counterparts about the interception, so they waited for him and took him into custody upon alighting from his plane,” he said. Wu is wanted for money laundering and involved in an illegal business operation, and is subject of an arrest warrant issued last year by the Public Security Bureau in Shenzhen, Shantou, China. Vito Barcelo

MEDICAL AND DENTAL MISSION. The Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc. which owns and operates the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, in cooperation with the Filipino Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Inc., conducts free dental and other medical services at the Citrus National High School, City of San Jose del Monte, in Bulacan. Hundreds of residents benefited from the free consultation, medicines, tooth extraction and reading eyeglasses. This project requested by Bulacan Gov.-elect Daniel Fernando was made possible through PCCAI chairman Dr. Benito Goyokpin and PCCAI president Dr. James G. Dy. Photo shows Lyka Talavera, 18 (seated, right) as she comforts her one-year-old son Terence while a doctor check his heartbeat during the free medical services. Others in photo are: Director Carlos Chianpian (in stripe shirt) and Deputy Administrator Che Che Javier of CGHMC. Ben Briones

Tugade leads inspection of construction at Sangley By Joel E. Zurbano

RANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade, and Airport and Aviation authority ofﬁcials on Friday inspected the ongoing construction at the Sangley Airport in Cavite where domestic ﬂights will be transferred as part of the government’s plan to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Workers are now in the process of finishing the asphalt overlay of the runway of the new facility, as well as the construction of the Passenger Terminal Building, the drainage system, and the hangars. The construction of additional facilities at the Sangley Airport, which started last year and is now 48.68 percent complete, is in line with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to accelerate the decongestion of the country’s premier airport in Manila. “Let us not see shadows when there is no sun. If we are all to answer the ‘perhaps’ and the ‘maybes,’ nothing will happen in this country. We should not stop development simply because we are afraid of future inconveniences. Bear in

mind that the price of development is inconvenience,” said Tugade. Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eddie Monreal and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines director general Jim Sydiongco accompanied Tugade during the inspection, which was conducted in coordination with Air Force and Navy officials. Tugade said the general aviation users will be notified to fully relocate to Clark International Airport and Sangley Airport to decongest NAIA and allow for improvements and additions in the main gateway. The transportation chief also expressed that his agency is working on a basket of

solutions to decongest NAIA, through airport infrastructure developments in Clark and Sangley, and the construction of the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan. The DOTr is also set to take concrete steps to address passenger discomfort in case of delays, including the imposition of penalties for flight delays attributed to airlines. President Duterte earlier made a directive to transfer the domestic flights to Cavite after a Red Lightning Alert status caused several flight delays and cancellations at the NAIA last Sunday. Monreal said the Red Lightning Alert scheme was adopted following the death of an employee who was struck by a lightning bolt on the tarmac of the Terminal 3 at the height of a thunderstorm in 2014. Following the tragedy at the tarmac, the Weather bureau installed a Lightning Activity System (LAS), which tells them whether to raise the yellow or red alert warning.

NCRPO to recruit 300 new officers THE National Capital Region Police Office announced on Friday that it was recruiting 300 new police officers to strengthen the Metro Manila police force. This was disclosed by Metro Manila police director Guillermo Eleazar during the announcement of top 450 applicants for this year’s Patrolman Recruitment Program. “It is only this time that I have seen so many applicants who wants to join the PNP, unfortunately, the accommodation will be limited since we only have 300 quota of police recruits for this semester henceforth the existing number of applicants will certainly downgrade,” said Eleazar during the ceremonial announcement of candidates. He said that the 450 applicants “shall undergo bar coding, issuance of the identification card, identification of Body Mass Index, agility test and neuro-psychiatric examination as part of the recruitment and selection process.” After this process, the 300 most competent and fit police recruits will undergo the Patrolman and Patrolwomen mandatory training, Eleazar said. In his speech, Eleazar said that he aspires to eliminate the “palakasan” system in the course of the recruitment and selection as part and parcel of his transformational leadership. “Walang padri-padrino, walang palakasan, only those who are the best and most deserving among the qualified applicants will be processed,” he said. In his intent to fully cleanse the organization from abusive uniformed personnel, the NCRPO chief assured the public that this year’s recruitment fulfills the marching order of President Rodrigo Duterte to condemn erring policemen. Joel E. Zurbano

WINDOW CLEANING. Maintenance workers rappel using high-tech equipment which provides a safe and effective method of cleaning multi-story buildings’ window glasses at the Mall of Asia in Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City. Lino Santos

Aquino denies PDEA spent P74m for local travels By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Friday denied spending P74 million for local travels, of which P51.83 million lacked supporting documents. Director General Aaron Aquino said the total travel of PDEA for 2018 that did not have the required documents was only P22.45 million, and not P51.83 million as reported in the news. He said PDEA's finance service had already forwarded the lacking documents last May 28 to the Commission on Audit. “I would like to clarify for it will bring misconception to the public that public funds were being used in violation of the existing rules of COA,” he said. “I think GMA 7 online misquoted the audit observation of COA,” he added. The audit report stated “Likewise, 101 disbursement vouchers (DVs), amounting to P51.831 million were found not supported with official receipts.”

The disbursement vouchers with P51,831,293.68 referred to various suppliers and payables of the agency that were paid by PDEA, but it underwent an LDDAP (List of Due and Demandable Accounts Payable), a bank transaction mode of payment that replaced the previous cheque payment system in accordance with COA rules and regulations, PDEA said. “We are adhering to all COA rules and regulations, however, upon payment to the suppliers through bank deposits, they had not issued us the official receipts,” the PDEA chief said. Because of such, the agency sent communications to all suppliers to issue "immediately" the much-needed official receipts. On several occasions, he said he had asked CoA to reconsider check issuance as mode of payment to make sure that PDEA would be issued official receipts upon release of payment. COA, in a 2018 audit report, flagged PDEA for the issuance of 101 disbursement vouchers for 2018 transactions of local travel expenses of P51.83 million without official receipts.

TELEVISION and radio personality Gretchen Fullido revealed recently through her lawyer Cesar Jimenea that she was preparing and psyching herself up to “undergo the rigors of trial” in her sexual harassment case against two executives of broadcast network ABS-CBN. In a statement released recently, Jimenea said that “Gretchen is getting ready the best way she can, learning how to calm down and temper apprehensions in exposing her innermost personal life. This is what sexual harassment case is all about.” “This is different. Gretchen is already in the public eye as a media person, but this concerns matters she’d rather keep private. Her own family didn’t know the details of the numerous incidents of harassment until the complaint was reported by media,” Jimenea added. A Quezon City court will soon hear charges of violation of Republic Act 7877 or “An Act Declaring Seuxal Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education or Training Environment” against ABS-CBN executives Cheryl Favila and Maricar Asprec. The QC Prosecutor’s office, after preliminary investigation, noted that Favila and Asprec were in an “open relationship” and wanted Fullido to be their “Thursday Girl,” Thursday being the day reserved for a supposed “third party.” According to Fullido, the two gave her the feeling that she needed to be close to them beyond the “boss-colleague” level, which made her uncomfortable. The May 28, 2019 Resolution by the Prosecutor’s Office showed that Favila began sending Fullido inappropriate and sexually suggestive text messages beginning 2015. In one message, Favila told the network talent that “you were very sexy, parati naman akong game sa iyo. Ikaw lang ang maayaw.” Another text read, “Pero gusto ko ng live rendition ng birthday song mo, na naka sexy outfit ka, birthday ko naman diba?” Favila made it appear in her messages that she was doing a favor by helping Fullido professionally, and needed a reward in return.

Arroyo offered job as Pampanga ‘consultant’ By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday said she has considered a consultancy position in her home province of Pampanga when she steps down as congresswoman on June 30. Arroyo revealed her plan during her interview with Tina Monzon Palma’s program at ANC. Arroyo has held elective office for nearly three decades. Arroyo served as president from 2001 to 2010. Upon stepping down from the presidency, she ran for Congress and won three consecutive times in her district. Arroyo, 72, said it was outgoing Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and Gov.-elect Dennis Pineda who offered her the consultant post. “I thought it was a good idea. I think I would be happy to help out from time to time,” said Arroyo. An economics professor, Arroyo said that now that she is given a chance to serve as consultant for Pampanga, wants to “focus on the development of the Pampanga megalopolis”—to transform Central Luzon into a business and financial district. Arroyo said Pampanga is gearing towards becoming a business hub, with the provincial economy growing at 9 percent, The provincial poverty rate is at 7 percent compared to thecountry's 23 percent, she added. “We are a fast growing province. Clark is a very big factor, the infrastructure,” she said, referring to a former US Air Force base that is being built as an industrial hub. In a separate development, Arroyo led the unveiling at the House of Representatives of the “No. 1” sculpture which represents excellence in legislation. “A country has to have soul and heart [and] that’s part of our soul and heart— having artwork in the grounds,” Arroyo said at the sidelines of the ceremony held at the lobby of the Library Archives and Museum Building of the Batasan Complex. Arroyo also witnessed the signing of the Deed of Donation for the “No.1” sculpture which was made and donated to the House of Representatives by renowned visual artist Joe Datuin.

Sports

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Go For Gold-PH dragonboat team shines in tough Chinese tourney JUST a week after collecting two gold medals in a big race in Singapore, the Go For Gold-Philippine Dragonboat Team brought home another pair of golds from a highly competitive meet in China. The Filipino paddlers from the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Dragonboat Federation ruled both the 500m and 250m small boat open category of the prestigious 2019 Beijing International Dragonboat Tournament where the best under-23 teams in China participated. The Nationals clocked two minutes and 30.85 seconds in the 500m in asserting their mastery over Chinese squads Dubula (2:39.88) and Beijing Fuxing Dragon Warriors (2:41.12) after winning the 200m (1:10.56) in dominating fashion. It was a follow up to the twin victories of the Go For Gold-backed paddlers in the recent DBS Marina Regatta in Singapore. Assistant team captain Ojay Fuentes, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Thursday when the Filipinos emerged

Injury-riddled Warriors vow: We’ll be back OAKLAND—Stephen Curry and Draymond Green vow the Golden State Warriors will remain championship contenders despite their NBA Finals loss to Toronto and major injuries to stars Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant. The Raptors downed Golden State 114-110 Thursday to capture the bestof-seven series four games to two, Thompson scoring 30 points to lead the Warriors before leaving with a left knee injury in the third quarter. Durant was already absent, having ruptured his right Achilles tendon in game five ensuring a year of major rehabilitation. Both Durant and Thompson, whose agent says he has a torn knee ligament, could be free agents next season, so the Warriors’ roster could see major changes before the next campaign. “There’s a lot of decisions that will go into the summer and we’ll deal with those,” Curry said. “True champions like we are, we should be able to adapt and keep this same kind of DNA no matter what our roster looks like next year. “It’s tough to lose in the finals, but the story’s not over yet.” The dethroned Warriors missed a chance for a third consecutive title and to become the first team in 50 years to win four in five years. “Everybody thinks it’s the end of us. But that’s just not smart. We’re not done yet,” Green said. “We lost this year. I hear a lot of that noise. It’s the end of a run and all that jazz. I don’t see it happening though. “We’ll be back.” For all the adversity they faced, the Warriors had a chance to seize the lead late but Curry missed a 3-pointer that led to three late free throws by Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard, NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the second time in his career. “Our DNA and who we are and the character we have on this team, I wouldn’t bet against us being back on this stage next year and going forward,” Curry said. “Really proud of the way we fought until the end and this five-year run’s been awesome, but definitely don’t think it’s over. AFP

victorious, was ably supported by a solid crew featuring Archie Baylosis, Kim Gabriel Baylosis, Daniel Ortega and Roberto Pantaleon. Seasoned paddler Norwell Cajes also contributed to the success together with Leo Jane Remarim, Jonathan Ruz, John Paul Selencio, Jerome Solis, drummer John James Pelagio and helmsman Christian Burgos. ``Resulta po ito ng lahat ng pagpupusige namin sa training. Gagawin po namin lahat para magtuloy-tuloy ito hanggang sa SEA Games,’’ said Fuentes in Filipino. The national paddlers from the PCKDF, the legitimate body in the country in the sport, was also impressive in Singapore with a 1:00.76 clocking for the gold in the 10-seater premier women’s division 200m that duplicated their feat in the 20-seater mixed category. ``These victories will definitely help boost the confidence of our team going

The Filipino paddlers from the Philippine Canoe-Kayak Dragonboat Federation, who ruled both the 500m and 250m small boat open category of the prestigious 2019 Beijing International Dragonboat Tournament, are shown during the awards ceremonies.

into the SEA Games,’’ said Go For Besides dragonboat, Go For Gold boarding, wrestling, sepak takraw, Gold godfather Jeremy Go, who dab- is also a staunch supporter of SEAG- cycling, triathlon and chess, among bled in the sport a few years ago. bound national athletes from skate- others.

Rose ties Tiger record, grabs lead P

EBBLE BEACH—Justin Rose roared home with three straight birdies to match Tiger Woods’ record for the lowest US Open round ever shot at Pebble Beach, a six-under par 65 that gave him a one-shot lead after the ﬁrst round on Thursday. England’s Rose, who won the 2013 US Open at Merion, vaulted over a quartet of players sharing second on five-under-par 66 as Pebble Beach showed a welcoming face in cool, overcast conditions with little wind. Americans Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele and South Africans Louis Oosthuizen and Aaron Wise were in the clubhouse on 66 when Rose stormed home. “It was amazing,” said Rose, who rolled in a 10-footer for birdie at the 16th and drained a 26-footer for birdie at the par-three 17th. He took sole possession of the lead at the last, blasting out of a greenside bunker and draining an 11-foot birdie putt. Knowing he had equalled the 65 shot by Woods in the first round on the way

to his crushing 15-shot US Open triumph at Pebble Beach in 2000, Rose gave a restrained fist pump. “I was thinking, ‘This would be kind of cool doing it front of the great man himself,’” said Rose, who played alongside Woods and Jordan Spieth. Woods produced an outstanding performance on the greens as he scrambled to a one-under par 70. Two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka headed a group on twounder 69. Scott Piercy teed off before 7am and quickly showed that Pebble Beach was there for the taking, moving as low as five-under before finishing on four-under 67. He was joined there in a tie for sixth by fellow American Nate Lashley. Reigning British Open champion Franc-

esco Molinari and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy were among a group of eight players on three-under 68. That group also included Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who birdied four straight coming in, Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo, and Americans Sepp Straka, Gary Woodland, Chez Reavie and Chesson Hadley. After the US Golf Association was stung by criticism over course conditions at last year’s US Open at wind-dried Shinnecock Hills, Pebble Beach’s small, slanting greens were moist and receptive. “The putting surfaces are as good as I’ve seen them,” said Koepka, although he and the rest of the field fully expect them to firm up as the week goes on as the USGA gets stingier with the water. On Thursday, however, 39 players were under par, and 17 eagles were the most in a US Open in 50 years. Along with Rose, currently ranked fourth in the world, four other major-winners featured in the top 15: Oosthuizen, Stenson, McIlroy and Molinari. AFP

Pagunsan storms ahead by 4 with fiery 63 MURCIA, Negros Occidental—Juvic Pagunsan sizzled in moving day, bucking an early mishap with a cluster of birdies in a superb seven-under 63 he spiked with an eagle as he stormed to a four-stroke lead over erstwhile leaders Rufino Bayron and Spain’s Marcos Pastor in the third round of the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Chal-

lenge here yesterday. The smooth-swinging Pagunsan hit all fairways and missed the greens just once in an awesome display of shotmaking, iron play and putting that proved too tough for Bayron and Pastor to match, putting the Japan PGA Tour-based shotmaker way ahead of the pack at 196 and

With a huge lead, Juvic Pagunsan sees a trouble-free final round stint

Zamboanga aces seek PPS twin-kill SYDNEY Enriquez and Eric Tangub set out for another dominating campaign as they head the field slugging it out for top honors in various divisions in the PPS Alamada national age-group tennis tournament which got under way yesterday in Cotabato. The 16-year-old Enriquez, from Salug, Zamboanga del Norte, looms as the player to beat in her age bracket and 18-and-under play, which she been lording in over in recent legs of the country’s longest, biggest talent-search presented by Dunlop. But Tangub, from Tucuran, Zambo del Sur, will be hard-pressed to stamp his class against a tough set of rivals in the two top categories of the boys’ division of the Group 2 tournament of the circuit making a rare stop at the Alamada Tennis Club. They include an in-form Reyman Saldivar, Herald Aton and Kristofer Espinosa in 16-U side with Saldivar, coming off a victory in Kabacan, and Aton also vying in the 18-U section along with Mel Facto in the four-day event serving as part of the Mindanao swing of the Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala circuit and sanc-

tioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. “Mindanao has such a wide base of (tennis) talents and with the all-out support that we’ve been getting from various LGUs, we will continue to hold tournaments here in search of young but promising players,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. For details, call PPS-PEPP Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464. Judy Ann Padilla and Angel Denopol, meanwhile, banner the girls’ 14-U cast that also drew Juliana Carvajal and Ayezza Dino with siblings Reyman and Armando Saldivar spearheading the boys’ side along with Espinosa and Josh Cabanting. Fierce action is also expected in the 12-U side with Denopol and Rose Messiona seeking to arrange a title clash and Armando Saldivar topbilling the boys’ class that also features Yusuf Maldo, Alexavier Uy and Cabanting while Jairo Ramirez, also from Kabacan, guns for back-to-back 10-unisex title after scoring a romp in Kidapawan last week.

closer to a romp that could mark his return to the Philippine Golf Tour. “I was so focused and my driving was pretty solid,” said Asia’s former No. 1 who highlighted his near-impeccable 32-31 card with an edge-to-edge eagle putt from 30 feet on the par-5 No. 16 then birdied the next two inside 12 feet. Bayron and Marcos actually put in a pair of decent 68s on a tight course softened by overnight rains but just couldn’t keep pace with Pagunsan’s fiery game following a missed green bogey on the first hole. The duo, who led Pagunsan by one at the halfway mark of the P2.5 million championship put up by ICTSI, dropped to joint second with 200s but got another chance to redeem themselves—or get beaten again— by the new leader, who once shot a 12-under round here, in the hunt for the top P450,000 purse in the final group today. Aussie Fidel Concepcion fired a 66 to join Ira Alido, who matched par 70, at 203 while last week’s Club Filipino de Invitational winner Guido Van der Valk and Richard Sinfuego shot 67 and 69, respectively, but whose 204s could be too far to pose a threat given the form being dished out by the Negros Occidental ace.

Superliga All-Filipino Conference on Games Today (Filoil Flying V Centre) 12:30 p.m. – Opening ceremonies 2:00 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Generika-Ayala 4:00 p.m. – Marinerang Pilipina vs Sta. Lucia

F2 Logistics parades its powerhouse roster while Marinerang Pilipina gets its baptism of fire when the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference kicks off today (Saturday) at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. After securing the services of Filipino-American Kalei Mau, the Cargo Movers are favored in their 2 p.m. battle with Generika-Ayala in this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by SOGO, Eurotel, PCSO, Cocolife, UCPB Gen, Mueller, Senoh, Asics, Bizooku and One Sport. Also seeing action in this midseason conference that also has Team Rebel Sport as official outfitter and Mikasa as official ball are the Lady Skippers, who will test the mettle of Sta. Lucia in the featured encounter at 4 p.m. With Ronald Dulay as head coach and Vilet Ponce-de Leon as chief assistant, Marinerang Pilipina is tipped to hit the ground running and pounce hard on the Lady Realtors, who have been dwelling the cellar for the past couple of years. Grizzled veterans Ivy Remulla and Ers Iratay serve as leaders while the promising core of Judith Abil, Seth Rodriguez, Caitlin Viray, Chiara Permentilla, Dimdim Pacres, Cesca Racraquin and Nica Guliman lead the Lady Skippers to a Cinderella run. “We may be a new team, but we have Ivy and Ers to provide veteran experience,” said team manager Jed Montero, the former University of the Philippines star who is making a return to women’s club league with a new role.

Youth triathletes Navo, Burgos win TEENAGERS Richard Anson Navo and Erika Nicole Burgos swept the top honors in the firstever Vermosa Sports Hub Sprint Tri held recently at the sprawling sports and training facility in Imus City, Cavite. Navo finished the 500-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike and 5-kilometer run event held within the Vermosa Sports Hub complex in one hour, one minute and 49 seconds to take first place in the 15-17 age-group and the title of fastest male overall among the participants. Burgos was the fastest female overall and the runaway winner in the female 15-17 category, clocking in at 1:14:06. Joshua Ramos (15-17) followed Navo over a minute later, followed by 30-34 age group winner Raymund Velasco to round up the top three male fin-

ishers. Other top females were Kriska Sto. Domingo (30-34) and Kathrina Lagunsad (25-29) within four minutes of Burgos’ finish. The Vermosa Sports Hub Sprint Tri organized by Bike King with the support of Blackmores Philippines, Smart, hydration partners Pocari Sweat and Sip Purified Water, and official timer Garmin, also staged age-appropriate distances for children aged seven to 14. For the full results, visit www. bikekingphilippines.com “We are delighted that today’s event turned into a family affair for the many participants who joined,” said Vermosa Sports Hub Operations Manager Andrea Intalan, who awarded the trophies to the winners. “It’s also very nice to see that many triath-

letes who trained here recently ended up as winners today.” Ayala Land’s Vermosa Sports Hub is the country’s first one-stop training complex for pro and amateur athletes showcasing a 50-meter swimming pool based on FINA (International Swimming Federation) standards and the country’s only International Association of Athletics Federation-certified 400m track oval, a complete indoor training facility, and the 600sq,m. Sante Fitness Lab. The Vermosa Sports Hub Sprint Tri is part of the ongoing Vermosa Sports Hub Series and the Sun Life Aquathlon Series. Visit Bike King Philippines and VSH for more information on upcoming events. Follow @ VermosaPH on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019

Beermen rout Elite to arrest losing skid By Jeric Lopez THE monkey is finally off of San Miguel’s back. The Beermen finally broke into the win column after dismantling import-less Blackwater, 127-106, to improve their standing in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Charles Rhodes had his finest outing this conference, turning in a monster double-double performance with game-highs of 32 points and 19 rebounds while Marcio Lassiter hit nine triples on his way to 29 points as the duo spearheaded San Miguel to victory. San Miguel improved to 1 win, 2 losses after snapping its two-game losing streak to start its campaign. On the other hand, Blackwater, who was co-league leader coming in, saw its two-game winning streak halted, falling to third place at 5-2 behind the NorthPort Batang Pier 5-1 and TNT KaTropa 5-1. The other teams include the Alaska Aces 4-2, the Meralco Bolts 3-3, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 2-2, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 2-3, the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters 1-3, the Columbian Dyip 1-3, the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok 0-2, and the NLEX Road Warriors 0-5. Playing with a sense of urgency, San Miguel came out firing to send a statement right away. The Beermen swiftly raced to a 29-21 lead at the end of one to seize control. Finally getting their rhythm, they continued pouncing on the shocked Elite in the second, establishing a bigger lead of 18 points, 58-40, after a Von Pessumal trey at the 3:03 mark of the period. San Miguel carried a 62-47 advantage at the turn. The Beermen cruised the rest of the way in the second half, continuing their dominance by keeping a double-digit lead until victory was secured.

Helterbrand powers Imus to victory FORMER PBA MVP Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Cruz, two players who found new homes in the MPBL, took center stage late Thursday night and guided their new squads to contrasting victories in the third season of the fastest growing regional amateur basketball league. Helterbrand played his first competitive game in two years and helped the Imus Bandera to a tense 78-75 win over the Caloocan Supremos. A former PBA MVP, Helterbrand put on solid numbers of 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in between huffing and puffing. “I never had much time practicing with the team and I don’t know the system yet,” Helterbrand said. “It’s a long season, but I really need to get back in basketball shape.” James Martinez finished with 26 points built around seven treys. It was the second most three-point shots made in the young history of the league after Val Acuña of the Batangas City Athletics tallied eight during the inaugural Rajah Cup. Nearly overshadowed by Imus’ win was Pampanga’s impressive 94-85 triumph over General Santos City. Cruz, the smallest man in the league at 5-foot-6, stood out for the Giant Lanterns as he dished out a triple-double performance of 16 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds to lead the revamped squad owned by Congressman Dong Gonzales and coached by former PBA mentor Bong Ramos. The cerebral guard has been knocking on the Giant Lanterns’ door as early as last season and his excitement was seen in his debut game as he performed in the biggest game of his career. Pampanga and Imus joined opening day winners Davao Occidental and Basilan in the win column.

Riders cross the Barangay Palico bridge at Nasugbu Highway in Batangas during Stage 1 of the 10th Le Tour de Filipinas Cycling tournament while inset photo shows Taoyuan Miogee Cycling Asst. Team Captain Jeroen Meijers celebrating victory as he crosses the finish line alone at the Praying Hands monument along Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway in Tagaytay City. Ey Acasio

Dutch rider rules Stage 1 of Le Tour de Filipinas

By Peter Atencio

AGAYTAY CITY—Dutch rider Jeroen Miejers played a waiting game before he made his big move.

And when he did, the 28-year-old bet of the Taiyuan Miogee Cycling team conquered the narrow two-lane roads of Tagaytay City to claim the Stage 1 honors of the Le Tour de Filipinas 2019 cycling competitions here. Meijers was all alone when he finally got off the steep portion of the 12.1 kilometer, forested Sampaloc road at the border of Talisay and Batangas, and into the 3.6 kilometer part of the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway towards the Praying Hands finish line. He clocked a time of three hours, eight minutes and 59 seconds when he arrived at the finish line marker at the Maharlika West area.

Meijers was a minute and 39 seconds in front Angus Lyons an Australian rider from Oliver Real Foods. “I attacked the first group and waited for the climb,” said Meijers, who will now don the purple jersey, which replace the traditional yellow, that used to be worn as the general classification uniform in previous races. The punishing climb out of Sampaloc took its toll on several riders including national team members Ronald Oranza and defending champion El Joshua Cariño, as well as Go For Gold’s Elmer Navarro, who all missed the cutoff. This will be the Dutch rider’s second stage win since placing third overall, and taking the Stage 3 win in the recent Tour of Taiyuan. Team 7-Eleven rider Marcelo Felipe was with an eight-man group who was with Meijers and third place teammate Daniel Habtemichael when they went up the Sampaloc trail. Habtemichael followed Meijers when

he made his move. Lyons did as well but Felipe decided to stay behind. “Kinapos ako nung kumawala yung teammate ko at isapang teammate ko sa last eight kilometers, at sa kalagitnaan ng ahon,” Felipe said. Felipe was tied in eighth to 10th places with Sapura Cycling’s Muhsin Misbah and Taiyuan’s Li Shuai. Cramps while negotiating the Sampaloc trail affected Cariño, who slowed down and submitted a time of 3:35.36. “Wala. Nag cramps ako sa ahon. Hindi ako makasipa. Ganun talaga,” said Cariño. Team PGN’s Sandy Nur Hassan settled for fourth behind teammate Aiman Cahyadi at third. Four riders were injured and are now out of contention from the race. Meijers was in the middle of a four-man spill that took place in the first five kilometers which involved a NEX rider from Singapore, Panha Suon who dislocated his clavicle during a downhill run.

Gambles by Raptors pay off with NBA crown OAKLAND, United States—From the ashes of an epic playoff failure last year, the Toronto Raptors made a pair of risky moves and wound up winning the first NBA title in their 24-season history. The Raptors defeated defending champion Golden State 114-110 Thursday (Friday Manila time) to capture the bestof-seven NBA Finals four games to two, becoming the first team from outside the United States to win the title. (See related NBA story on A7) But it was an unlikely journey that began shortly after the Raptors won the Eastern Conference regular-season crown but were swept out by Cleveland in the second round of the playoffs. That led Raptors president Masai Ujiri to fire Dwane Casey, who would be named NBA Coach of the Year for the campaign. Casey was quickly signed by division rival Detroit. Nick Nurse, an assistant coach with the club since 2013, was promoted to head coach and proved a perfect fit. “It was heck of a 12 months,” Nurse said. “We tried not to look too far ahead.” Ujiri, who is from Nigeria, saw Nurse as the man to guide an intense squad. “We’re a hardworking team and I think Nick has that persona and that ethic that really translates to everybody and the whole organization as a whole,” Ujiri said. Then Ujiri traded DeMar DeRozan, the face of the franchise for a decade, to

PH bet Mark Jay Bacojo ponders his next move during the 20th Asean + Age Group Chess Championships 2019 at the Golden Mandalay Hotel and Hotel Hazel in Mandalay City, Myanmar.

Toronto Raptors fans outside of Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada cheer after the Raptors defeat the Golden State Warriors in Game Six of the NBA Finals on June 13, 2019 (June 14 Manila time). AFP

San Antonio to bring Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors. It was a risk. Leonard had been the 2014 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the champion Spurs and was NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016 but missed almost all of the 2017-18 campaign with a right quad injury. But Leonard clicked with the Raptors and produced career highs of 26.6 points

and 7.3 rebounds a game as Toronto achieved the second-best record in the NBA at 58-24. “It’s surreal,” Ujiri said. “But I think when you put the team together and we all dream of a championship, the change was hard at the time, but we knew the kind of player we were getting and if we overcame and dealt with all the issues, we felt that could come together. AFP

Arum fearful Manny suffers brain damage LAS VEGAS, United States—Veteran promoter Bob Arum fears Filipino star Manny Pacquiao might be risking brain damage when he steps into the ring against WBA welterweight champion Keith Thurman in Las Vegas next month. Pacquiao, who turns 41 in December, will be facing one of his most dangerous opponents in years in the shape of Thurman, who is unbeaten in 30 fights and 10 years younger than the Filipino. The 87-year-old Arum, a legendary figure in boxing who promoted Muhammad Ali during the 1960s and 1970s, no longer works with Pacquiao after overseeing most of the eight-division world champion’s signature fights. However Arum believes the serious brain injury suffered by 41-year-old Zab Judah last Friday should serve as a cautionary tale. Speaking on the sidelines of this Saturday’s heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Tom Schwarz in Las Vegas, Arum admitted he feared for Pacquiao. “Look, I love Manny Pacquiao,” Arum told reporters. “I have a whole history with Manny Pacquiao. I’m really rooting for Manny Pacquiao, but you’ve gotta realise that he’s 41 years of age, and when a fighter has been around so long passes his late 30s and goes into his 40s, he’s not gonna be as good as he was in his prime. “I wish him the best and I hope he wins the fight but I am concerned, as I would be for any fighter, that when they get to a certain age that they probably should not be fighting anymore. “You know, I mean, the doctors will tell you that the cranium as you get older, thins out. So a guy that’s younger gets hit and the cranium absorbs the blow so that it doesn’t affect the brain matter. “When they get older the cranium is thinner, and when you get hit it affects —that would be the worst thing in the world if Manny Pacquiao suffered brain damage at this point.” Arum cited the case of Judah, who suffered a bleed on the brain after his 11th round stoppage by Cletus Seldin in Syracuse last week. Judah was released from hospital on Monday. “Zab Judah is a perfect example of how dangerous it is for a guy to continue fighting into his 40s,” Arum said. Pacquiao faces Thurman in Las Vegas on July 20. The run-up to the fight has been full of flying insults, with Thurman saying he will beat Pacquiao into retirement when they clash in Las Vegas. AFP

Bacojo continues winning chess run in Myanmar THE Philippines’ Mark Jay Bacojo continued his winning run by beating Myanmar’s top gun Kyaw Myat Aung to remain on top in the 20th Asean + Age Group Chess Championships 2019 at the Golden Mandalay Hotel and Hotel Hazel in Mandalay City, Myanmar. With the win, the pride of Dasmarinas City, Cavite, playing under the banner of Mayor Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr., raised his total to 5.5 points on after five wins and a draw in the Under-14 Boys’ open division of the Standard competition.

Bacojo is a full point ahead over Le Tri Kien, Candidate Master Vu Hoang Gia Bao, Candidate Master Nguyen Quoc Hy and Vo Pham Thien Phuc of Vietnam who tote 4.5 points each. Earlier, Bacojo defeated Khant Zin Hein of Myanmar in Round 1, Le Tri Kien of Vietnam in Round 2, Nguyen Duc Sang of Vietnam in Round 3, countryman Chester Neil Reyes in Round 4, split the point with Mekarapiruk Chawit of Thailand in Round 5 before beating Kyaw Myat Aung of Myanmar in Round 6.

Other Filipino bets in the Under-14 Boys’ open division of the Standard competition are Chester Neil Reyes of Rodriguez, Rizal (3.5 points), Jerish John Velarde of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu (3.5 points) and Emcel Jules Gadut of Candon City, Ilocos Sur (3.0 points). Sharing the limelight are Kaye Lalaine Regidor of Santa, Rosa, Laguna and Mecel Angela Gadut of Candon City, Ilocos Sur who brought down Huynh Phuc Minh Phuong and Mai Hieu Linh of Vietnam in the Under-10 Girls’ division.

IN BRIEF

ACSIEL seeks tie-ups with electronics firms

ACSIEL Alliance Electronique of France conducted an exploratory mission to the Philippines to check on the possibilities of forging collaboration between their 150 plus members and their Philippine counterparts in the future. ACSIEL president Jean Luc Estienne said the visit coincided with the conduct of the Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Convention and Exhibition at the SMX Convention Center organized by the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. ACSIEL received and accommodated SEIPI during its first-ever Philippine electronics business mission to France at the Paris office in October 2018. The ACSIEL delegation, which represented key players in the electronics supply chain of France, included officials from STMicroelectronics, Atemation and Inventec. The Philippine Embassy in Paris in partnership with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Paris co-organized the delegation of French electronics companies that visited the Philippines in the last week of May. Othel V. Campos

Business

Reclassified Clark estate a boon to devt

CLARK International Airport Corp. said the reclassification of the Clark Industrial Estate into a global hub of commerce and industry will hasten regional development, especially in the greater Clark area and Central and Northern Luzon. President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 81 on June 4 reclassifying the 290-hectare Clark Industrial Estate 5 as an international center of commerce, industry, leisure, and recreation, amending EO No. 716 signed in 2008. “This is definitely a marching order in the right direction and will surely be a boon to regional development especially in the greater Clark area, and Central and Northern Luzon,” said CIAC presidentJaime Melo. The previous EO No. 716 limited CIAC to “only engage in aviation, aviation-related services and aviationrelated logistic activities (at Clark IE5).” The entire 290 hectares of the industrial estate has been reclassified as an international center for commerce, aviation logistics, industry, leisure and recreation.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019

By Darwin G. Amojelar

BIGGER PARTNERSHIP. PLDT Global Corp., a unit of PLDT Inc., is expanding a partnership with international airtime remittance hub Tranglo. Aside from Smart, TNT and Sun products, Filipinos overseas may now avail Free Bee PINs in Tranglo channels and service centers in Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and other Southeast Asian countries. Sealing the agreement are (from left) Edith Gomez, vice president and head of Carrier Business & Global Accounts Management of PLDT Global; Albert Villa-Real, chief commercial officer of PLDT Global; Sia Hui Yong, founder of Tranglo; and Artemio Quiamas Jr., assistant VP and head of Global Accounts Management for International Retail at PLDT Global.

BSP now expects BoP to book $3.7-b surplus T By Julito G. Rada

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas revised upward the balance of payments projections this year to a surplus of $3.7 billion as of May from a deﬁcit of $3.5 billion projected in November 2018.

The adjustment took into account the expected sustained strength of the domestic economy despite the downward revision in the global economic growth outlook. BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said during the ﬁrst-quarter BoP brieﬁng Friday that other key considerations in the revised projections were the near-term moderation in the global trade outlook, expected decline in commodity prices, possible ratcheting up of

trade tensions between the US and China, and the US Fed’s shift to “dovish” monetary policy stance. Other factors were the uncertainties over Brexit developments, expected modest rebound in non-resident capital flows to emerging markets and the bright outlook of the domestic economy. The country’s BoP position recorded a surplus of $3.8 billion in the first quarter 2019, a reversal of the $1.2-billion deficit in the same quarter last year. The central bank attributed the turnaround to the higher net inflows (net borrowing by residents from the rest of the world) in the financial account, mainly on account of the reversal of portfolio investments to net inflows, as well as the increased net inflows in the other investment and direct investment accounts during the quarter. The strong performance of the financial account during the quarter was bolstered by favorable investor sentiment attributed to the country’s solid macroeconomic fundamentals and firm

economic growth prospects. Meanwhile, the current account—one of the main components of the balance of payments—registered a deficit of $1.2 billion in the first quarter, markedly higher than the $335-million shortfall registered year-on-year, due to the widening gap in the trade-in-goods account, arising mainly from the continued expansion in imports of goods in support of the sustained growth of domestic economic activity. “What we saw in the BoP for the first quarter and to some extent be carried over to 2019 and beyond actually captures the growing economy of the Philippines. We saw in many instances that the Philippine economy is one of the fastest-growing despite the (slower) 5.6-percent expansion in the first quarter,” Guinigundo said. “The issue is, is the current account financeable? The BoP in the first quarter at surplus, we see the finance ability of the current account deficit. We will continue to grow...,” he said.

10 SM FIRMS FETED.

DBP: Rural banks play critical role in countryside devt STATE-RUN Development Bank of the Philippines, the country’s eighth-largest lender in terms of assets, stressed the key role of rural banks in the countryside development. DBP president and executive Emmanuel Herbosa said Friday rural banks play a pivotal role in promoting inclusive development, especially in the countryside, by providing credit to primary food producers such as farmers, fisherfolk and small businesses that commonly belong to the most marginalized sectors of the economy. He said rural banks were natural partners of development financing institutions that seek to broaden their presence especially in municipalities experiencing economic resurgence. “Rural banks are the cutting edge as they know the needs of the communities that they serve,” Herbosa said. “Together with development financing institutions such as the DBP, they can catalyze the rural economy and make it robust,” he said. DBP is the eighth- largest bank in the country with assets totaling P669.75 billion as of end-2018. It provides loans to strategic sectors such as infrastructure and logistics, small and medium enterprises, social services and community development and environment. DBP has a branch network of 137 branches, including 10 branch lite units that cater mostly to underserved and unbanked communities in the country. The bank also offers digital banking services to rural banks that cover disbursement and collection services and cash management solutions through the DBP Digital Banking Portal or DBP2. Julito G. Rada

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Globe wants to build more cell sites to cut energy usage

Agriculture to deploy more X-ray machines

THE government has approved the utilization of the Quick Reaction Fund of the Agriculture Department for the emergency procurement of 20 units of X-ray machines that will be deployed in all international airports of the country to check agricultural products, especially meat brought in by passengers. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III endorsed the proposal, citing the need for the country to protect its borders from plant and animal diseases, notably the African Swine Fever, which is destroying the hog industry of many countries. Dominguez also approved the installation of the meat and agri X-ray machines in customs areas in all airports to monitor all hand-carried and checkedin baggages of incoming passengers, especially those coming from ASFaffected countries. The Philippine quarantine laws prohibit the entry of meat, ﬁsheries and horticulture products, including planting materials, not covered by sanitary and phytosanitary permits issued by both the BAI and the Bureau of Plant Industry.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

SM Investments Corp., SM Prime Holdings Inc., BDO Unibank Inc., BDO Leasing and Finance Inc., China Banking Corp., Premium Leisure Corp., Belle Corp., Pacific Online Systems Corp., 2GO Group Inc. and Atlas Consolidated Mining & Development Corp. were cited among the top performing companies in the Philippines. They were cited out of the 48 publicly-listed firms recognized under the Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard for their efforts to raise the level of compliance with the Asean corporate governance principles. SM Investments chairman Jose Sio (center) receives the recognition during the Golden Arrow Recognition ceremonies held at the Conrad Manila on June 11, 2019. With him are Institute of Corporate Directors chief executive officer Alfredo Pascual (left) and Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Emilio B. Aquino.

PNB increases medium-term borrowing program to $2b PHILIPPINE National Bank, the ﬁfthlargest lender in terms of assets and controlled by airline and tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan, has completed the update of its medium-term note program that includes the increase in its amount to $2 billion from $1 billion. The bank in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday said the update would allow PNB from time to time to issue, offer or sell notes in the aggregate amount of up to $2 billion or its equivalent in other currencies “in such amount, tenor, number of tranches, and under such other terms and conditions as the bank may subsequently approve.” “The bank shall duly disclose to the exchange the terms and conditions of any such issuance at the appropriate time,” it said. Citigroup Global Markets Ltd., MUFG Securities Asia Ltd., Standard Chartered Bank, the Hong Kong and

Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd., and Wells Fargo Securities LLC acted as the arrangers and dealers of the program update. “We wish to further advise that the bank has obtained approval-in-principle from the Singapore Stock Exchange Securities Trading Ltd. for notes issued from the increased program to be listed on the SGX-ST,” it said. “PNB has prepared and will submit to the SGX on June 14, 2019 the offering circular in relation to the program, in accordance with the rules of SGX... ,” it said. Earlier, the bank said the issuance of notes would help it raise more funds to ﬁnance future growth and expansion program. Early this month, the PNB board approved the increase of its euro medium-term note program from $1 billion to $2 billion.

The bank in February raised P8.22 billion through the issuance of longterm negotiable certiﬁcates of time deposits that will mature in 2024 as part of a series of fundraising activities. PNB in 2018 announced a plan to raise P20 billion through the issuance of LTNCDs to extend the maturity proﬁle of the bank’s liabilities as part of overall liability management. It also plans to raise P12 billion through the sale of shares to existing shareholders led by parent LT Group of Companies. Proceeds of the planned stock rights offering would be used to strengthen its common equity Tier 1 and enable the bank to sustain its asset growth. PNB recently closed and signed a $250-million three-year syndicated term loan facility with a large group of international and regional Japanese banks. Julito G. Rada

GLOBE Telecom Inc. wants to build more cell sites nationwide in a bid to further reduce its annual energy consumption. “The more dense cell sites we have, the less power these cell sites consume. This is a message we want to convey to our public sector. Allow us to build more cell sites so we can effectively manage our energy consumption,” said Globe chief technology and information ofﬁcer Gil Genio during the company’s PowerSummit. “I know site density is a hard problem to solve, it is not entirely within our control, but [we are asking] our government to allow us to build more sites faster to the same degree as Vietnam that has 75,000 sites already versus our barely 23,000 as a country and overall power consumption of both operators and consumers will actually come down,” he added. Globe is consuming 360 megawatt hours of electricity equivalent to P3.5 billion to power its network every year. Globe’s network is consuming nine million liters amounting to P348 million of diesel fuel annually for the past three years. The company also said it almost doubled the deployment of green network solutions to 6,314 in 2018 from just 3,350 in 2017. Globe said the use of green network solutions, like fuel cell system and lithium ion batteries, were aimed at minimizing carbon emissions, especially as Globe continues to widen its network footprint in the country. In addition, Globe has been utilizing remote management systems to proactively monitor and manage energy and diesel fuel consumption of remote sites. It has also deployed free-cooling solutions to lessen dependence on power-hungry air conditioning units. Globe saw its reduced greenhouse gas emissions go up to 503.14 tons in 2018 from 482 tons in 2017. The company has developed an employee ride-sharing strategy that has so far reduced the company’s carbon emissions by at least 584 metric tons, or equivalent to planting 4,133 trees.

Chinese telco firm, Mislatel sign purchase deal MISLATEL Consortium of Davaobased businessman Dennis Uy and China Telecommunications Corp. signed a share-purchase agreement to secure permit from the government to operate by July this year. Following the Congress’ approval for the transfer of ownership in May 20, Mislatel also updated its timetable of key activities to obtain its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity or ‘permit to operate’ from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) by July. “We’re really hoping to get everything fixed by July. The signing of the agreements is a vivid manifestation of the fulfillment of our goal to provide Filipinos with faster and reliable internet connection,” said Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. president and chief executive officer Chryss Alfonsus Damuy said. Chelsea is a member of the Mislatel Consortium. “We are grateful for the support and cooperation shown by the approving bodies. Our unified efforts will pave the way for better telecommunications services for all,” he added. The National Telecommunications Commission will assign the frequencies 700 megahertz, 850 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2010 MHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.3 GHz, 3.5 GHz and 10.5 GHz to Mislatel. Mislatel Consortium committed to improve the country’s telecommunications capability within five years, by increasing basic internet speed to 55 mbps and covering more than 80 percent of the country’s population. Mislatel vowed to invest P257 billion over a five-year period, including P150 billion in its first year of operations. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks fall; SMC, JG Summit slip T HE stock market declined Friday on geopolitical concerns, uncertainty over the China-US trade row and the outlook for the global economy.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 61.56 points, or 0.8 percent, to 7,990.20 on a value turnover of P7.7 billion. Losers beat gainers, 112 to 74, with 54 issues unchanged. Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. dropped 2.7 percent to P181, while JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei retreated 2.4 percent to P63.95. SM Investments Corp. of the Sy Group lost 2.1 percent to P940, while

major property developer Ayala Land Inc. fell 1.9 percent to P50.50. Most Asian markets, meanwhile, fell Friday, while oil prices were ﬂat after the previous day’s surge fueled by attacks on two tankers in the crucial Gulf of Oman. Hong Kong was again on the back foot, losing 0.7 percent, after the city was rocked this week by violent protests against government plans for a law that would allow extraditions to China and which observers warn could erode its attraction to businesses. Trading ﬂoors have been the scene of unease for weeks since Donald Trump’s shock decision to hit China with higher tariffs despite expectations the two sides were close to a deal to end their longrunning stand-off. Shanghai tumbled one percent, Singapore shed 0.2 percent and Seoul lost 0.4 percent while Taipei was off

0.3 percent. Mumbai, Bangkok and Jakarta also fell, though Tokyo ended 0.4 percent higher and Sydney gained 0.2 percent. The uneasiness over the past week has seen the price of gold hit a 15-month high of around $1,360 per ounce as traders look for safer assets to hide from the uncertainty on world markets. Eyes are now on the G20 summit in Japan later this month where the president and his Chinese counterpart are expected to meet to discuss the issue, though Washington has been playing down the chances of a deal being struck. However, support has come from bets that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates soon as the economy stutters and the trade war rumbles along. “What’s important to remember right now is that there aren’t a whole lot of upside catalysts,” Randy Frederick, vice

president for trading and derivatives at Charles Schwab & Co, told Bloomberg TV. “Markets are waiting now for what the Fed is going to say at the meeting, and that’s coming next week.” Adding to the downbeat mood are concerns about tensions in the Middle East after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of responsibility for the Gulf tankers attack and said they would be raised at a UN Security Council meeting later Thursday. Tehran denies the accusation and labelled the attacks in the world’s most important crude shipping lane as “suspicious.” The news sent the price of crude surging more than four percent at one point Thursday, having been deep in the red owing to supply and demand worries. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND FIRST ABACUS IREMIT MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK

57 81.55 2.21 140 26.9 11.48 4.5 7.71 0.53 1.37 0.52 72 0.96 13.96 54.3 184.8 112 57.7 27.4 171.9 60.25

58.7 82.2 2.25 140 26.9 11.48 4.68 7.71 0.53 1.37 0.53 72.5 0.99 13.96 55.75 185 112 57.75 28 172.5 60.25

57 81 2.21 138.1 26.8 11.38 4.5 7.71 0.53 1.37 0.5 71.1 0.96 13.32 54.3 184.7 112 57.7 27.2 168.1 59.65

58.7 82 2.25 140 26.9 11.4 4.63 7.71 0.53 1.37 0.52 72.3 0.99 13.68 54.7 185 112 57.75 27.8 171.5 59.75

6,120 1,511,370 68,000 1,855,030 91,100 63,200 16,000 600 24,000 1,000 2,814,000 1,905,080 34,000 2,100 510,010 8,820 30 220 47,000 244,340 1,120

352,303.50 123,338,258.50 152,730 259,139,653 2,447,395 720,900 73,450 4,626 12,720 1,370 1,452,690 136,939,082 32,670 28,510 28,098,369 1,631,289 3,360 12,695.50 1,308,375 41,621,121 67,101

113,399 10,319,040.50 72,957,600 -221,436 23,686,806 0 7,146,811 1,294,793 -217,455 852,796 -11,338.50

INDUSTRIAL ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA GREENERGY HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

35 14.44 0.79 1.37 0.285 89.35 2.61 14.9 116 24.65 2 5.45 5.79 10 16.02 10.56 7.55 1.6 24.35 76.9 50.5 2.46 14.12 10.1 1.67 288.8 4.16 3.44 9.45 24 12.8 18.8 385 5.71 1.27 4.44 6.05 9.02 2.78 12 40.7 4.96 4.85 1.43 1.88 1.17 13.48 106.5 6.52 0.125 1.25 176 2.55 1.31 16.98 1.28

35.5 14.46 0.79 1.42 0.285 96.55 2.73 14.9 116 24.65 2.02 5.45 5.79 10.22 16.18 10.6 7.55 1.6 24.5 77.1 51.9 2.49 14.12 10.2 1.68 288.8 4.16 3.44 9.65 24 13.12 19.32 385.8 5.71 1.33 4.44 6.1 9.02 2.78 12.2 40.7 4.96 4.85 1.43 1.88 1.2 13.88 108 6.59 0.125 1.33 176 2.75 1.32 17 1.35

34.95 13.98 0.76 1.37 0.275 89.35 2.61 14.8 116 24.1 2 5.45 5.5 10 16 10.22 7.51 1.6 24.15 76.85 50 2.4 13.98 10 1.65 280.2 4.16 3.41 9.4 23.6 12.8 18.8 382.2 5.7 1.26 4.34 6.03 9.02 2.55 11.98 40.35 4.9 4.85 1.42 1.8 1.17 13.48 105.1 6.5 0.123 1.23 172.1 2.55 1.29 16.98 1.27

35 14.44 0.78 1.38 0.275 96.55 2.73 14.86 116 24.5 2.02 5.45 5.5 10.2 16.1 10.5 7.55 1.6 24.5 76.85 51 2.44 14 10.08 1.68 286 4.16 3.41 9.4 23.6 13.06 19.1 382.2 5.71 1.32 4.36 6.04 9.02 2.58 12.2 40.35 4.9 4.85 1.43 1.87 1.18 13.7 108 6.52 0.123 1.29 174 2.75 1.32 17 1.28

1,005,400 720,400 1,005,000 985,000 1,300,000 140 15,974,000 263,300 120 239,600 60,000 10,000 18,000 18,962,500 85,900 747,400 202,000 1,000 2,926,400 98,190 319,780 10,023,000 610,400 696,600 212,000 578,850 2,000 8,000 8,200 226,700 2,313,100 804,700 115,290 4,100 28,476,000 264,000 850,200 10,500 71,702,000 31,300 151,800 31,000 6,000 416,000 573,000 178,000 441,000 198,010 241,100 1,020,000 3,173,000 834,050 73,000 3,462,000 1,000 3,624,000

35,173,450 10,349,640 778,950 1,377,370 359,500 12,581 42,796,140 3,911,410 13,920 5,829,875 120,620 54,500 99,169 193,343,642 1,380,340 7,820,794 1,523,790 1,600 71,489,260 7,554,738.50 16,377,491 24,717,450 8,546,984 6,973,536 352,820 164,193,488 8,320 27,380 77,306 5,369,530 30,175,102 15,346,416 44,165,296 23,399 36,897,110 1,155,910 5,143,241 94,710 188,391,070 379,438 6,142,455(2, 152,960 29,100 592,980 1,037,970 208,770 6,036,218 21,118,486 1,569,306 126,020 4,110,580 144,794,309 196,000 4,540,050 16,982 4,739,770

-20,510,110 3,924,196 12,480 44,000 10,968,180 317,684 -80,940 -42,573,098 347,110 6,004,308 -333,155 9,563,250 -5,208,802 2,462,895 61,420 2,046,614 -144,422 -81,301,918 1,520,750 5,426,856 -3,888,350 -7,786,736 924,380 -2,067,840 -4,131,500 425,395.0003) 99,000 11,700 -2,162,306 -12,660,040 122,270 661,280 20,467,773 392,070 -1,700 25,600

HOLDING FIRMS ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP AYALA LAND LOG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV MJC INVESTMENTS PACIFICA SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.67 56.15 15.58 0.75 6.7 12.6 1.29 1.3 915 3.63 6.82 10.04 14.08 4.14 0.247 876.5 6.21 64.9 0.5 4.24 15.32 0.59 4.67 2.72 0.038 184.5 964 0.9 1.33 267 0.233 0.31

0.75 56.15 15.7 0.77 6.7 13.06 1.34 1.34 915 3.63 6.84 10.22 14.08 4.14 0.26 880 6.21 64.9 0.5 4.44 15.34 0.6 4.67 2.72 0.04 184.5 964 0.9 1.38 267 0.233 0.32

0.66 54.6 15.44 0.75 6.7 12.52 1.26 1.29 898 3.5 6.6 9.95 13.82 4.14 0.24 862.5 6.21 62.5 0.475 4.18 15.22 0.58 4.55 2.72 0.038 180.5 940 0.86 1.33 267 0.23 0.305

0.75 55 15.5 0.77 6.7 13.06 1.3 1.32 900 3.55 6.78 10.22 14.08 4.14 0.255 875 6.21 63.95 0.5 4.2 15.3 0.6 4.58 2.72 0.039 181 940 0.88 1.38 267 0.23 0.315

72,156,000 1,388,550 6,818,200 104,000 2,900 137,900 6,587,000 1,315,000 663,950 1,608,000 237,100 5,004,400 50,800 1,000 260,000 102,140 6,300 1,642,060 40,000 1,083,000 3,202,600 499,000 13,009,000 234,000 6,600,000 611,580 208,510 1,332,000 19,000 330 1,220,000 9,490,000

51,541,500 76,515,091 105,963,154 78,700 19,430 1,742,520 8,563,420 1,723,340 599,552,250 5,708,760 1,608,066 50,282,424(22 714,832 4,140 64,170 88,904,235 39,123 104,154,662.50 19,500 4,576,020 49,016,946 295,990 59,984,430 636,480 258,800 111,164,964 196,586,875 1,167,140 25,320 88,110 281,500 2,973,350

512,980 -15,859,578 -26,958,010 19,430 22,820.00 760,710 -55,697,440 106,100 135,893 ,111,230.9997) 571,464 46,153,785 -20,336,081 -109,720 -18,618,162 17,430,870 -19,895,991 -89,951,465 -2,670 -384,950

PROPERTY 8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP

15.54 0.79 11 2.1 0.78 51.15 2.38 4.73 6.16 0.59 0.92 0.95 0.225 0.54 10.06 26.5 0.485 1.74 1.41 5.94 0.33 0.455 1.97 0.415 2.07

16 0.8 11 2.12 0.83 51.15 2.38 4.79 6.35 0.59 0.92 0.95 0.225 0.55 10.08 26.55 0.49 1.77 1.42 6 0.335 0.47 1.97 0.425 2.12

15.54 0.79 10.62 2.06 0.78 50.05 2.28 4.7 6.16 0.57 0.87 0.9 0.225 0.475 9.95 25.9 0.48 1.7 1.31 5.9 0.325 0.455 1.85 0.415 2.07

15.72 0.8 11 2.06 0.79 50.5 2.35 4.79 6.35 0.59 0.88 0.9 0.225 0.49 10.04 26.1 0.49 1.71 1.32 5.98 0.33 0.47 1.88 0.42 2.1

131,100 280,000 3,100 352,000 3,898,000 14,160,300 865,000 588,000 1,000 11,274,000 107,000 176,000 2,290,000 51,952,000 105,600 608,300 550,000 49,330,000 12,660,000 24,926,600 7,420,000 30,000 8,160,000 1,100,000 2,640,000

2,070,024 221,340 33,910 733,820 3,127,190 713,170,083.50 2,015,160 2,784,800 6,277 6,529,370 ( 94,520 159,850 515,250 26,431,265 1,055,989 15,866,115 268,050 85,374,120 17,088,860 148,851,720 2,454,100 13,800 15,460,770 462,500 5,519,970

-555,722 -89,652,197 -58,420 -630 201,260.0001) 90,000 364,500 394,460 187,554 10,953,725 -14,700 -34,661,070 -1,061,250 -2,268,685 138,600 526,000 33,000

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

26.5 2.14 2.99 39.1 2.06 6.29 0.78 7.1

26.5 2.16 3 39.1 2.06 6.29 0.78 7.14

25.85 2.1 2.99 38.4 2 6.26 0.78 7.05

26.2 2.16 3 39 2.01 6.26 0.78 7.14

1,504,000 476,000 68,000 10,061,000 857,000 71,300 4,000 3,132,200

39,300,260 1,014,840 203,840 390,839,385 1,731,220 447,439 3,120 22,305,986

1,357,675 -10,800 -157,634,590 -10,229,861

SERVICES 2GO GROUP ABS CBN APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE ISLAND INFO ISM COMM LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS PH RESORTS GRP PHIL RACING PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

11.2 17.6 0.45 0.044 20.6 2.87 11.5 0.056 90 7.24 6.73 5.79 2.15 10.6 2,230 5.39 410 2.4 1.79 146 10.1 0.119 6.38 4.2 0.83 19.44 0.53 3.19 2.6 1.42 15 2.39 3.07 9.35 2.94 4.9 8.98 130 3.58 1,238 0.84 0.83 45 76.45 9.44 3.5 0.73 0.41 5.2 0.74 16.58

11.2 17.64 0.455 0.044 20.75 2.9 11.6 0.058 90 7.25 7.19 6.2 2.15 10.78 2,240 5.42 410 2.41 1.86 148 10.2 0.12 6.83 4.24 0.84 19.52 0.55 3.59 2.63 1.42 15 2.46 3.19 9.35 3.01 5 8.99 132 3.65 1,240 0.84 0.84 45.1 76.5 9.44 3.64 0.73 0.42 5.2 0.74 16.72

10.24 16.8 0.45 0.044 20.5 2.87 11.5 0.055 87.9 7 6.7 5.79 2.15 10.4 2,190 5.37 406 2.22 1.79 142.5 10.1 0.119 6.21 4.15 0.79 19.18 0.53 3.18 2.57 1.42 15 2.35 3.06 9 2.94 4.9 8.98 127 3.52 1,225 0.81 0.82 44.5 75 9.44 3.39 0.71 0.395 5.1 0.72 16.54

10.92 16.9 0.455 0.044 20.5 2.89 11.5 0.056 88 7 7 6.2 2.15 10.4 2,220 5.41 406 2.22 1.86 148 10.2 0.119 6.51 4.19 0.84 19.24 0.53 3.42 2.58 1.42 15 2.38 3.19 9.25 3.01 5 8.99 132 3.6 1,230 0.83 0.82 45.1 75.85 9.44 3.43 0.72 0.395 5.12 0.74 16.58

36,300 321,700 810,000 1,800,000 12,000 192,000 1,426,600 29,230,000 314,380 3,400 5,345,800 149,600 5,000 61,600 53,835 341,500 620 4,163,000 41,000 1,892,720 5,100 180,000 17,092,700 732,000 503,000 840,400 459,000 16,148,000 3,557,000 27,000 100 2,342,000 226,000 27,500 7,000 17,000 4,300 100,660 3,321,000 142,640 4,415,000 8,351,000 199,600 801,310 7,600 14,209,000 1,951,000 34,040,000 515,700 813,000 1,726,800

393,618 5,496,048 365,250 79,200 246,390 552,320 16,429,230 1,643,480 27,677,409.50 24,186 37,435,628 875,616 10,750 647,008 119,352,050 1,846,422 251,760 9,518,880 73,460 275,253,392 51,640 21,520 112,212,312 3,063,520 406,450 16,242,750 247,190 51,405,870 9,187,240 38,340 1,500 5,594,130 703,870 253,065 20,790 84,800 38,655 13,086,920 11,903,000 175,778,555 3,642,150 6,867,300 8,952,355 60,778,693 71,744 49,854,960 1,401,610 13,840,550 2,658,328 595,600 28,686,992(1,

16,060 -9,672,112 53,000 6,328,629 -848,103 -272,130 32,216,840 434,120 57,709,057 -5,655,833 -218,422 -50,625,600 94,140 -409,150 -153,320 86,920 -1,509,730 -47,729,150 -357,390 1,011,170 2,706,000 -884,603.50 7,099,190 93,560 -266,000 -1,218,247 191,923.9996)

MINING & OIL ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATOK BENGUET A BENGUET B CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PHINMA PETRO PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON

0.0019 1.22 12.3 1.19 1.12 2.89 0.285 7.65 1.48 0.232 0.114 0.0075 0.0073 1.04 2.12 1.01 0.58 0.88 0.011 0.011 0.01 4.65 2.97 7.29 22 0.0065

0.0019 1.22 12.34 1.19 1.12 2.89 0.285 7.69 1.48 0.232 0.114 0.0075 0.0073 1.04 2.19 1.01 0.58 0.88 0.011 0.011 0.011 4.67 3.1 7.4 22 0.0065

0.0018 1.19 10.66 1.1 1.12 2.82 0.285 7.64 1.43 0.223 0.111 0.0074 0.0073 1.03 2.12 0.98 0.55 0.85 0.011 0.011 0.01 4.21 2.96 7.06 21.65 0.0065

0.0019 1.21 12.34 1.1 1.12 2.82 0.285 7.64 1.44 0.23 0.111 0.0074 0.0073 1.03 2.16 1.01 0.55 0.88 0.011 0.011 0.011 4.29 3.1 7.37 21.75 0.0065

173,000,000 1,453,000 44,400 41,000 12,000 266,000 130,000 1,900 3,613,000 40,000 1,860,000 5,000,000 2,000,000 19,000 789,000 7,000 23,000 2,827,000 3,400,000 400,000 7,000,000 1,128,000 713,000 999,900 489,800 2,000,000

328,300 1,751,080 477,288 45,370 13,440 753,350 37,050 14,541 5,238,630 9,160 209,270 37,300 14,600 19,600 1,707,120 6,920 12,920 2,415,180 37,400 4,400 71,700 4,957,010 2,155,540 7,277,582 10,645,045 13,000

-242,000 -384,330 -500,820 13,000 -361,730 764,728 -3,971,200 -

PREFERRED ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 2A SFI PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

17.26 482 98 5.27 97 1 995 1.36 970 75.5 77.5 73.2 72.15 74 73.7

17.26 485 98 5.3 97 1 995 1.36 970 75.5 77.6 73.85 72.15 74.4 73.7

16.34 482 97.15 5.27 96.5 1 985 1.36 962 75.5 77.5 73.2 72.15 74 73.7

16.44 485 97.15 5.3 96.5 1 995 1.36 962 75.5 77.55 73.85 72.15 74 73.7

465,900 10,720 4,360 30,200 730 5,000 3,840 24,000 3,040 16,140 1,960 36,640 3,000 3,700 460

7,977,868 5,197,096 424,181.50 159,792 70,575 5,000 3,804,560 32,640 2,928,995 1,218,570 151,933 2,695,778 216,450 274,600 33,902

1,987,754 -95,907.00 -

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

1.97

2.02

1.97

2.02

51,000

100,740

SME ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.02 1.02

5.08 1.04

5 1.01

5.03 1.04

222,900 2,527,000

1,123,362 2,588,920

-195,940 -1,005,710

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF 120

120

119

119.5

9,010

1,076,249

-554,195

DDS USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.12 10.1

10.12 10

10.12 10.1

1,000 4,000

10,120 40,200

NAME

MS 10.12 10

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES 9,749,885

INDUSTRIAL

182,305,798

HOLDING FIRMS

140,235,189

PROPERTY

217,233,339

SERVICES

160,287,552

MINING & OIL

207,467,964

GRAND TOTAL

920,038,738

VALUE 1,742.79 (up) 7.56 651,461,514.62 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,731.32 (down) 64.75 2,298,496,537.45 HOLDING FIRMS 7,542.51 (down) 107.96 1,700,763,150.22 PROPERTY 4,332.57 (down) 37.06 1,694.87 (down) 2.60 1,794,473,234.26 SERVICES MINING & OIL 7,152.78 (up) 52.44 1,190,404,706.55 PSEI 7,990.20 (down) 61.56 38,294,263.8552 All Shares Index 4,884.91 (down) 29.21 7,678,682,418.98 Gainers: 74; Losers: 112; Unchanged: 54; Total: 240

Travellers on track to sustain high revenues By Jenniffer B. Austria TRAVELLERS International Hotel Group Inc. said it is on track to sustain its double-digit growth in gross gaming revenues in the first quarter as it speeds up expansion within Resorts World Manila. TIHGI president and chief executive Kingson Sian said in an interview following the annual stockholders’ meeting that the company was set to open in July an expanded gaming floor that would add around 100 tables and 600 gaming machines. RWM will have a total of 365 gaming tables and 2,300 gaming machines once the expansion is completed. Sian said the opening of the expansion gaming area would enable RWM to recover the number of gaming tables and slot machines it lost during the shooting incident in 2017. Meanwhile, TIHGI is scheduled to open Hotel Okura Manila by the end of the year, bringing Resort World Manila’s hotel rooms to 3,555. The company recently opened Sheraton Hotel in January and Hilton Hotel in October last year. With the opening of new facilities in the integrated resort and gaming complex, Sian expects traffic at RWM to reach between 40,000 and 50,000 a day as early as 2020 from 28,500 in 2018. Sian also disclosed the company’s plan to start the fourth phase of the RWM expansion with the development of a 5,000 square-meter property for gaming and office for online gaming operators. The project, which will address the growing demand for online gaming facilities, is slated for completion over the next 24 to 30 months. TIGHI so far has invested $1.1 billion in the development of RWM. Sian said TIHGI started the construction of three hotels in the $1-billion Westside City, its second integrated resort in Manila. The three hotels will open between 2021 and 2022 with over 2,400 rooms. TIHGI reported a 53.8-percent increase in gross gaming revenues to P6.89 billion in the first quarter of the year. Non-gaming revenues jumped 112 percent to P1.23 billion.

DoE, Meralco work out CSP arrangements By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Department of Energy said on Friday it is coordinating with Manila Electric Co. on the timely conduct of the competitive selection process as spelled out in a Supreme Court decision. The DoE said Meralco agreed to expedite the conduct of the CSP to ensure uninterrupted power supply in Luzon. The high court earlier ruled that “all Power Supply Agreement (PSA) applications submitted by Distribution Utilities (DUs) to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on or after 30 June 2015 shall comply with the CSP based on DoE’s 2018 Department Circular.” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the department and Meralco were in full agreement that the conduct of CSP should be certiﬁed as urgent given the need to ensure a reliable and steady supply of power at all times. “We are reiterating our initial statement on this matter that we must do it fast, and there must be no delays in the implementation of CSP for Meralco and for other distribution utilities and electric cooperatives,” Cusi said. “We must act fast because demand continues to grow and we want to be ready to supply the needs of a growing market to ensure that the country will maximize its growth potential,” he added. Under the CSP, electric cooperatives and distribution utilities must conduct a bidding on power supply contracts to ensure transparency and fair competition. “We want to ensure accountability from power providers that supply is available and that they are ready for any eventuality, which is their responsibility as a player in a commodities sector,” Cusi said. Meralco serves 6.6 million customers in 36 cities and 75 municipalities in Luzon and supplies about 66 percent of the region’s total demand.

World IN BRIEF Monting pressure from Lam’s allies HONG KONG―Hong Kong’s embattled leader faced mounting pressure on Friday to abandon a deeply unpopular plan to allow extraditions to China as key allies urged a rethink following unprecedented political unrest. The international finance hub was rocked by the worst political violence since its 1997 handover to China on Wednesday as tens of thousands of protesters were dispersed by riot police firing tear gas and rubber bullets. Opposition to the extradition bill has united an unusually wide cross section of Hong Kong against the proposal and sparked huge rallies. The city’s pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam has so far refused to meet protester demands to withdraw or scrap the bill. But on Friday Lam found herself facing calls from within her own political camp to reverse course and tamp down the spiralling public anger. Prominent pro-Beijing lawmaker Michael Tien openly called on Lam to postpone the bill. “She would gain points instead of losing points,” he told reporters. “Nothing is ever too late. New situations arise that would provide the basis for any leader to change their position. There’s nothing wrong with that.” Tien’s comments came as Lam’s own adviser said pushing ahead with speeding up the bill through the city’s legislature had now become “impossible”. “Personally I can see that it is impossible to discuss [the bill] when there is so much conflict on all sides. It is very difficult,” Bernard Chan told RTHK radio. “At the very least we should not escalate the antagonism,” he added, although he stopped short of saying whether the bill should be scrapped. AFP

Women to march for equal pay GENEVA―Women across Switzerland are set to walk off the job and into the streets Friday to demand wage parity, nearly three decades after staging the country’s first nationwide strike for equal pay. Events planned throughout the day range from pram marches, to whistle concerts, to extended lunch breaks and giant picnics, with huge demonstrations planned Friday evening in several cities, including in front of the government in Bern. Unions and rights groups organizing the events are hoping to see a sea of purple— the color chosen to show solidarity with the cause—but in a country where work stoppages are extremely rare the turnout remains uncertain. On June 14, 1991―10 years after equality between the sexes was enshrined in the Swiss constitution―half a million women walked out of their workplaces or homes to protest persistent inequalities. Three decades on, however, the organizers of Friday’s events say things have barely improved, insisting women need to demand “more time, more money, more respect.” Women in Switzerland on average still earn 20 percent less than men. And for men and women with equal qualifications, the wage gap remains nearly eight percent, according to the national statistics office. Riding the wave of the global #MeToo movement, a new generation of women is attacking the lingering issues of discrimination, harassment and wage inequality with renewed vigor. Organizers have called upon women to snub their jobs, and also housework, for the entire day to help raise awareness about the vital contribution women make across society. “Really, the objective is to block the country with a feminist strike, a women’s strike,” activist Marie Metrailler told AFP recently. Strikers will also be demanding zero tolerance for violence against women and more respect and better pay for women’s work, including through the introduction of a minimum national salary. AFP

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Hong kong’s protesters are evolving, hardening

FIRST TIME. South Korean soldiers escort

hikers as they walk along a fence in the Demilitarized zone, which divides the two Koreas, during the DMZ Peace Trail tour in Goseong on June 14, 2019. South Korea on April 27opened to the public one of the three new hiking trails along the DMZ—in the eastern coastal county of Goseong—for the first time since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. AFP

Tensions rise as Iran denies tanker attacks D

UBAI―Iran dismissed as “baseless” Friday US accusations that it carried out twin attacks that left two tankers ablaze in the Gulf of Oman, escalating tensions across the region and sending world oil prices soaring. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Washington would defend its forces and allies in the region, and the United States pressed its case as the UN Security Council met to address the incident―the second in a month in the strategic shipping lane. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted Friday that the US administration had “immediately jumped to make allegations against Iran without a shred of factual or circumstantial evidence”. He accused it of seeking to “sabotage diplomacy” amid a visit to Iran by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and “cover up its economic terrorism against Iran” in enforcing crippling unilateral sanctions. With tensions spiraling between Iran and the United States, the European Union called for “maximum restraint” and UN chief Antonio Guterres warned the world cannot afford a major con-

frontation in the Gulf. Iran labeled the apparent attacks “suspicious,” as its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rebuffed overtures by Abe to open talks with US President Donald Trump. Pompeo said there was strong evidence of Iran’s culpability, after the US Navy said it had spotted an unexploded limpet mine stuck to the hull of one of the vessels. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) released a grainy black-andwhite video it said showed an Iranian patrol boat “removing the unexploded limpet mine” from the ship. “It is the assessment of the United States that the Islamic Republic of Iran is responsible for the attacks,” Pompeo announced. “This is based on intelligence, the weapons used, the level of expertise needed to execute the operation, recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping, and

the fact that no proxy group operating in the area has the resources and proficiency to act with such a high degree of sophistication,” he said. The two vessels were struck by explosions in the early daylight hours Thursday after passing through the Strait of Hormuz and traveling around 25 nautical miles off Iran’s southern coast headed towards Asia. The Norwegian-owned Front Altair ethanol tanker was hit by three explosions, according to the Norwegian Maritime Authority, and remained ablaze late Thursday. Explosions also struck the Japanese-owned Kokuka Courageous, which was loaded with methanol, but the fire on board was soon extinguished. One crew member suffered minor injuries. The ship was on Friday heading towards the Omani port of Khor Fakkan. There was no claim of responsibility for the blasts, which struck both tankers at the waterline. Iran said its navy rescued several dozen crew members of the two vessels, while the US Navy said it had picked up 21 from the Kokuka Courageous. AFP

Anger as Christchurch attacker pleads not guilty PANDAS AT PLAY. This photo taken on June 13, 2019, shows panda cubs playing in the Shenshuping panda base of the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Wenchuan, China's southwestern Sichuan province. - Born to a wild father and a captive mother, nearly one-year-old twin pandas roll on the grass in a conservation base in southwest China, marking an important achievement in the preservation of the country's beloved animal. AFP

CHRISTCHURCH―The man accused of shooting dead 51 Muslim worshipers in the Christchurch mosque attacks in March smiled Friday as his lawyers entered not guilty pleas to multiple murder and terrorism charges. Brenton Tarrant’s barrister told Christchurch High Court his client was pleading not guilty to all charges, prompting anger from survivors and relatives of those killed in the March 15 attacks. The self-proclaimed white supremacist appeared in court via audio-visual link from a maximum-security prison in Auckland for the brief hearing. Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian national, was committed to stand trial next year on 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and engaging in a terrorist act. His smiling demeanor enraged survivors still reeling from the worst massacre in modern New Zealand history, who had packed the courthouse’s public gallery for a glimpse of the accused. “It just shows he’s an animal,” Mustafa Boztas, who was wounded in the thigh, told AFP outside the court. “I feel sad that someone can be so inhuman and take the lives of innocent people.” Abdul Aziz, who confronted the gunman at the Linwood mosque and chased him off the premises, said he wanted to see Tarrant’s face. “He was laughing there [in court] and he thinks he was so tough, but he was a coward when he faced me and he ran,” he said. “He was not man enough to stand up that time and [now] he’s standing there and laughing. “Put me for 15 minutes in one cell and then we will see if he can laugh any more.” AFP

HONG KONG―The optimism that once defined Hong Kong’s pro-democracy rallies has been replaced by desperation and foreboding as young protesters flood the streets again, this time ready to fight in what feels like a last-ditch battle for the city. When police cleared protesters from the center of Hong Kong after the twomonth “Umbrella Movement” occupation in 2014 calling for the right to elect the city’s leader, demonstrators hung a sign from a bridge declaring: “We will be back”. This week they did just that. On Sunday they massed in recordbreaking numbers calling for the government to scrap a deeply unpopular proposed law that would allow extraditions to China. When the city’s leaders refused they hit the streets again on Wednesday, but this time clashing with police in unprecedented scenes of violence as officers discharged tear gas and rubber bullets during hours of running battles. Yu, a 24-year-old protester wearing a mask to hide her identity, explained how it had come to this. “Those who did 2014 know that peaceful methods are not working,” she told AFP, referring to the failure of the movement back then to win any concessions from Beijing. “Even a million go on protest and nothing happened,” she added, referencing the government’s refusal to be swayed by the city’s largest protest since its 1997 handover to China. But she wasn’t keen on the confrontations either. “Violence is not working,” she said. “What can I do?” This week has seen a profound shift in the attitudes and tactics of both police and protesters. The 2014 Umbrella Movement protests―named after the umbrellas demonstrators used to defend themselves from police―were much more peaceful. Apart from some clashes between protesters and police at the start -and occasional outbreaks of violence at night for a short period -- the twomonth demonstrations were a largely peaceful occupation by a movement pushing non-violent, civil disobedience. Protesters were famously courteous, recycling their waste, doing their homework at night and apologizing for the inconvenienced caused. But the movement failed and in the years since several protest leaders have been jailed. Many who went into the streets this week to decry what they see as yet another erosion of their city’s freedoms were also very young. But there the comparison ends with 2014. On Wednesday, armed with bottles, bricks and metal bars, a hard core of masked protesters battled police outside the city’s parliament. They donned helmets, masks and goggles, some of them taping thick magazines to their arms as a sort of makeshift body armour. AFP

Manila

Standard ORIENTAL MINDORO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. TODAY

(O R M E C O) Simaron, Calapan City INVITATION TO BID

All interested bidders are invited to participate in the actual bidding for these three (3) LOTs detailed as follows: LOT - I

Supply of Office Supplies Approved Budget Cost: Php2,885,487.00 (VAT-Inclusive) Source of Funding: General Fund Mode of Payment: Staggered Payment Upon the Availability of Fund Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-bid proper. NOTE: AWARDING PER LOT

LOT - II

Supply of Teller’s Receipt Approved Budget Cost: Php4,334,400 (VAT-Inclusive) Source of Funding: General Fund Mode of Payment: Staggered Payment Upon the Availability of Fund Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-bid proper. NOTE: AWARDING PER LOT

LOT - III

Supply of Line Clearing Job for one (1) year Term (July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020) Approved Budget Cost: Php7,049,808.00 (VAT-Inclusive) Source of Funding: General Fund Delivery Schedule: To be announced during the pre-bid proper. GENERAL GUIDELINES

Interested bidders may secure BID DOCUMENTS and obtain further INFORMATIONS from the ORMECO, Inc. Bids and Award Committee (BAC)/Procurement Section, ORMECO, Inc., Simaron, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro. A non-refundable fee in the amount of Php5,000.00 for LOT - I, Php5,000.00 for LOT - II and Php10,000.00 for LOT - III and shall be collected as payment for BID DOCUMENTS.

Interested bidders must be accredited as supplier before joining the pre-bidding conference and accreditation will start on June 17, 2019 at 8:00am until 5:00p.m. of June 21, 2019. You can call at telephone numbers 043-2882349/043-2869375 or send an email at ormeco_coop@yahoo.com.

PRE-BID CONFERENCE will be held at ORMECO, Inc. Board Room, Sta. Isabel, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro at 10:00 a.m. of June 24, 2019 for LOT - I and 2:00 p.m. of June 24, 2019 for LOT - II and 2:00 p.m. of June 25, 2019 for LOT - III.

SEALED PROPOSALS will be received at 10:00 a.m. of July 8, 2019 for LOT - I and 2:00 p.m. of July 8, 2019 for LOT - II and 2:00 p.m. of July 9, 2019 for LOT - III, immediately after which, the said proposals will be opened during the actual bidding in the presence of the attending bidders.

ALL BIDS must be accompanied by a BID BOND payable to ORMECO, Inc. in the form of CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK, MANAGER’S CHECK or BANK DRAFT issued by a reputable bank equivalent to TWO PERCENT (2%) of the Approved Budget Cost (ABC). No Bid Bond in the form of Surety Bond shall be accepted. The bidder with the lowest calculated bid will be considered the winning bidder.’

The winning bidder shall issue FIVE PERCENT (5%) in the form of CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK, MANAGER’S CHECK or BANK DRAFT from a reputable bank, representing the PERFORMANCE BOND.

If the bidder who submitted the best offer refuses to push through with his / her proposed BID during and after the bidding, his / her Bid Bond shall be forfeited, and failure of bidding shall be declared.

ORMECO, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject any Bids, declare failure of bidding and not to award the contract without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. ORMECO, Inc. also has no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnity bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids. ORMECO, INC.

(MS-JUNE 15, 2019)

(SGD) ENGR. MICHAEL O. GUICO BAC-Chairperson

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

‘BUILD, BUILD, BUILD.’ The growing purchasing power of Filipinos, as well as an increase in household consumption, is fuelling the expansion of operations of both foreign and local retailers in Metro Manila and key provincial cities. Add to this the aggressive construction of townships and mixed-use property projects nationwide by developers such as Megaworld, Ayala Land, Vista Land, Robinson’s Land, and SM Development Corporation.

STAYING ON COURSE IN 2019 Metro Manila leads charge in PH’s property growth, expansion

ETRO Manila’s real estate market to continued to flourish in the first quarter of 2019 despite the headwinds that the Philippines’ economy experienced last year. “Despite the highs and lows in the Philippine economy and business environment, the Philippine real estate market stayed on course with Metro Manila remaining the core area in the country for property investments,” real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Philippines said in its report. Even though the country’s average gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate in 2018 fell to 6.2 percent from the 2017 average GDP growth figure of 6.7 percent, the Philippines remains one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, next to India, China, and Vietnam. “The business environment has been steady, supported by the continuous entry and expansion from investors. This is evident in the office sector with supply increases and continuous rental growth in (the first quarter of 2019),” it noted in its report. The office space, residential, and retail segments of the property sectors in Metro Manila continue to experience increases in terms of demand, alongside those located in emerging real estate hotspots such as Davao and Pampanga. Gaming firms drive real estate uptick During the first quarter of 2019, the JLL Philippines report credited offshore and outsourcing businesses for driving the demand for office spaces, adding that these firms accounted for 51 percent of the total leasing volumes during the first three months of this year. Online gaming firms, also known as Philippine Online Gaming operators, accounted for 27 percent of the total office spaces that were leased in the first quarter. The demand for office spaces likewise spiked the growth of the residential and retail fronts of the country’s property sector. According to JLL Philippines, high net-worth individuals remained as the major drivers for residential condominium purchases in the luxury segment of the real estate industry. The retail segment, on the other hand, remained robust, thanks to the growing demand for retail spaces by the food and beverage industry, which maintained its position as the contributor to retail space leases, particularly those

located in the more established shopping and recreational hubs in Metro Manila. With a sustained macroeconomic environment projected over the next few years, the country’s property development sector is expected to continue to enjoy a few more remarkable years of significant growth. This is especially true for property development firms who have already made headways in Metro Manila and those who have set their sights on the real estate sectors of some of the country’s emerging areas such as Davao, Cavite, Pampanga, Cebu, Iloilo, and Bacolod. Robust demand for office spaces The influx of offshore and outsourcing firms into the country over the past several years is credited for creating a robust demand for office spaces not just in Metro Manila’s central business districts but in other emerging property hotspots across the archipelago. According to JLL Philippines, majority of these offshore and outsourcing enterprises accounted for 51 percent of the total office space leasing volumes in the first quarter of 2019 alone. A sizeable amount of office spaces that were taken up during the same period came from online gaming firms. They contributed 27 percent of the total office spaces leased during the first quarter of this year. Flexible workspaces also helped pump up the demand for office spaces, majority of which are foreign firms that have established their first hubs in central business districts across the metropolis but have since then expanded to other key business districts. Data gathered by Lamudi, show that 29 percent of those who used their portal inquired about office spaces in Metro Manila during the first quarter of 2019 while 44 percent asked about office-related properties in Pampanga and 36 percent zeroed in on Davao del Sur. JLL Philippines noted that the healthy demand and performance of this segment could also be attributed to the growth of rental properties, with those in Makati City commanding the highest monthly rental value due to the presence of premium quality buildings, robust office space demand, and accessibility. The influx of investors from mainland China, especially those involved in POGOs, has contributed to the growth of commercial office activities in both Paranaque City and Pasay City, where the Bay Area is located. Condos, apple of property boom’s eye As the demand for the office market increased, so did the demand for residential

condos. This is particularly true in the Bay Area, where majority of the foreign investors are from mainland China and whose primary investment interests are in online gaming operations. “The influx of Chinese investors propped up residential property prices in the Bay Area with investors buying multiple units, with some leasing out to employees from POGOs,” noted JLL Philippines. But the main drivers of growth that fuel the leasing demand for high-end and luxury residential condos come from members of the expatriate community, many of which are key executives of several outsourcing and offshore firms, multinational companies, multilateral development institutions, international organizations, and foreign embassies. This is reflected by the growing number of property developments in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and in Makati City’s central business district. Property projects in other key business centers and those situated in fringe areas of central business districts also benefited from the increase of property prices in main real estate hotspots. Those fringe areas, in a way, have become ideal locations for possible future residential investments. According to JLL Philippines, high networth individuals were mainly responsible for the growth of residential condominium purchases in the luxury segment, with some of them purchasing those properties for investment purposes while others for their own use. The leasing market for the mid-range segment of residential condos, on the other hand, were largely driven by Filipinos whose workplaces are in central business districts. These renters use those condo units as their halfway homes on weekdays to avoid being stuck in traffic during the rush hour. Makati’s central business district maintained its dominance in commanding the highest rents due to the presence of luxury developments, while Pasay City came in second as landlords took advantage of the robust demand from POGOs and tenants from these firms, who typically do not negotiate on rents. Reasonably optimistic JLL Philippines is optimistic of the real estate sector’s sustained growth, particularly in the office sector and the continuous growth of office space rentals and leases, largely because the Philippines’ steady business environment is supported by an influx of foreign and local investors who have already began expanding their operations across the country.

COMMONWEALTH NEIGHBORHOOD PIT STOP EVER Group of Companies’ development, Calle Bistro – a lifestyle strip along Commonwealth Avenue – has become a ‘home away from home’ for families and groups on the lookout for exciting food and beverage adventures. People flock to Calle Bistro’s restaurants to taste best-selling appetizers, classic meal favorites, popular desserts and beverages. Last year, Calle Bistro opened with some of the following tenants: Sisig Society, JTs Manukan, Adobo Connection, IMA Kitchen, PUB Express, Gerry’s Grill and Restaurant, Hap Chan, Macao Imperial Tea, Cook the Bread, After Twelve, Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Samgyeopmasarap, Knicker + Bockers and Teriyaki Boy. Just recently, Vice President Leni Robredo was spotted with late afternoon Calle Bistro denizens at ELM’s Kapihan and Winery, a popular celebrity-media hang out (inset photo).

Vibrant living in the Queen City

CITADINES Cebu will open in the third quarter of 2019, seeking to give the Queen City’s already bustling tourism scene, a boost. A serviced residence providing top-notch accommodations with efficient service, it is just what business and leisure travelers want from the Philippines’ fastest-growing hub. With a brand-new airport, a robust business climate, and a steady influx of travelers, Cebu has become one of the largest and fastestgrowing business districts in the Philippines. At the heart of the city, they continue to harness economic potential with many businesses emerging in various industries such as trade, manufacturing, business process outsourcing (BPO), and real estate. Ascott Limited (Ascott) partnered with developer Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) to build Citadines Cebu. Once operational, it will be the fourth Citadines Apart’hotel property in the Philippines, joining Citadines Salcedo Makati, Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila, and Citadines Bay City Manila. Citadines Cebu offers spacious apartments with all the conveniences of a modern home and the services of a hotel. Functionality and sustainability guided the designers of the hotel, and these come alive in its efficient design and space planning, as well as the use of eco-friendly and easy to maintain materials. Small details and accent pieces provide a relaxed vibe to remind guests of the comforts of home. Local, fun, functional The serviced residence showcases works and accent pieces by local craftsmen and artists in vibrant spaces. The goal is to achieve a balance between promoting international contemporary interiors with a local flavour––making it a unique destination. “We see great interest in Cebu, especially among young professionals and business travelers who combine their business and leisure goals at the same time,” said Daniel Wee, country general manager for The Ascott Limited Philippines. “Citadines Cebu City is targeting young, independent travelers who are visiting Cebu and desire modern comforts, business connectivity and customized services,” Synergistic tie-up Citadines is Ascott’s fastest growing brand while CLI has risen to become one of the leading developers in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, and among the top ten in the Philippines. They share the same values and commitment toward delivering world-class properties and customer service. The alliance’s goal is to have 1,600 units in place by 2022 in key cities such as Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Dumaguete, and Iloilo in the next few years. “We’re confident that Ascott will further invigorate the Visayas and Mindanao area in the next few years, by providing the options that travelers are looking for,” Wee averred.

REDEFINING WORK-LIFE BALANCE. For city dwellers pining for less stressful urban life, Filinvest City is building a central business district (CBD) in Metro South, that redefines the concept of work-life balance.The city has its own lifestyle hubs, multi-national and local companies, schools, universities and parks for recreation and relaxation. Streets and parks, including an integrated network of pedestrian-friendly landscaped pathways, are designed to encourage walking from one part of the city to another. Construction along the Festival Mall’s boardwalk has been completed recently, connecting the Riverpark, Water Garden, and South Station via walkways. The city also promotes biking by providing safe bike lanes. A nature trail has become popular with bikers, from beginners to experts. When the weather will not allow walking or biking, Filinvest Cityzens can ride the everconvenient 360 Eco-Loop (Seen here). The eco-friendly ride is an integrated, electricpowered transportation that can accommodate up to 25 persons and with 31 stops all over the city.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

YOUNG LIFE

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019

INCLUSIVELY COLORFUL. A group of graduating fashion designers created a fashion brand consisting of apparel and accessories that address the needs of children with special needs. From left: sublimated pig dress, quilted vest and snake pants, Shibori bomber jacket on denim overalls, bunny dress

Color me diverse W

Bear denim vest and jogger pants

‘Bayanihan’ in classrooms

ITH a drive to genuinely contribute to a more inclusive and diverse society, a group of passionate young designers tapped their creativity and skills to launch a collection of fashion apparel made for children with special needs.

Graduating students from the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program of the De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde, namely, Angela Bautista, Diane Bobier, Allana Nicolas, and Darlenne Rivera, combined function and fashion to create the Spectrum Kidz. The brand debuted with a 20-piece collection of ready-to-wear apparel which consisted of basic clothing necessities and cutting-edge ensembles fit for children from ages two to eight years old. As the name suggests, Spectrum Kidz offers a wide range of choices made of a variety of textiles in various colors. The rising style innovators brought their concepts to life using meticulously selected textiles, including cotton, poplin, neoprene, plush, corduroy, velvet, cotton twill, jersey knit, brush twill, geena silk, satin silk, denim, and cotton denim. “These fabrics offer the most comfortable choices for them (the children),” team spokesperson Bobier stated. “Some opted for clothes that are soft to touch such as jersey knit, cotton, and neoprene. Other children preferred stiffer fabric like denim.” Utmost attention was given to jacket zippers and snaps, which allowed ease of access and gave opportunities to children to effortlessly dress themselves. “The adoption of ordinary closings such as buttons may bring a challenge,” said Bobier. Meanwhile, the featured sensory toy-inspired accessories, produced through arduous manipulation, help wearers in the development of their concentration and focus, thinking, and motor skills. Among the popular items in the collection was the vibrant and weighted Shibori Bomber Jacket that gave Deep Touch Pressure. “It provides a calming and soothing effect to children with autism who have self-regulation difficulties and sensory processing disorder (SPD),” explained Bobier, adding, “This kind of jacket may be appreciated whenever kids feel anxious or scared or when they are undergoing tantrums.”

By Jomes Kemuel Ibañez GUIDED by its core values of service, teamwork, and responsibility, close to 870 employee volunteers of City Savings Bank, Inc. helped prepare a better learning space for 230 public schools nationwide through the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela. The bank’s employee volunteers along with DepEd officials, teachers, parents, and other members of the community cleaned, repaired, and repainted facilities before the new school year started in June.

Also included was a shirt with a charming artwork sketched by a young boy with autism. Through sublimation printing and heat press, the child’s drawing serves as a memento as he started to develop his artistic skills. “Our brand aimed to spread art which embraced one’s differences,” declared Bobier. “No matter who you are, you can be the best version of yourself.” The team behind Spectrum Kidz wished to adopt the advocacy as they pursue their different paths in the industry. Bobier said, “We realized that kids with autism deserve more, a society where they belong and a future that won’t neglect them.”

Cloudy orange jumpsuit

During the national kick-off ceremony on May 16 at Alfonso Central School in Alfonso, Cavite, Education Secretary Leonor Briones highlighted the spirit of bayanihan evident during Brigada Eskwela. In a message read on her behalf, she shared, “Today is one of those many occasions when Filipinos gather and prove that quality education is a top priority for our nation. Our countrymen from all walks of life volunteer their time, energy, and resources to ensure that the youth will have a clean, safe, and conducive learning environment come the

Employee volunteers lend their time to help repair and clean the classrooms as they take part in DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela 2019.

first day of class.” Principal Romeo Bandal of Eulogio Rodriguez Integrated School in Manila expressed his gratitude to the bank. “CitySavings’ contribution to our school will be of great help in improving the physical atmosphere of the classroom. This will promote learning and create a positive and safe environment,” said Bandal. In Cebu City, Principal Rubelyn Mangilaya of Inayawan National High School highlighted how Brigada Eskwela will address a pressing problem in their school. “Last school year, we had a huge dropout rate of 7 percent, due, for instance, to family related issues which are beyond our control. We want to change that by keeping our students in school. Hence we are thankful for Brigada Eskwela, the volunteers and stakeholders for helping us have a clean and orderly place to motivate our students to finish schooling. A better learning space leads to a better learning experience,” shared Mangilaya. While in Davao City, Public School District Supervisor Dr. Johnito Galan emphasized the significant contribution of this education initiative. Galan said, “The community owns the schools. Each member is responsible in promoting quality education for all, and one way of doing this is through Brigada Eskwela. We are thankful to our volunteers and stakeholders for contributing to a better learning environment.”

Life

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

PR mentorship program

opens 11th season

OMMUNICATIONS agency ComCo Southeast Asia announces the opening of the 11th cycle of its awardwinning mentorship program.

The Camp ComCo Mentorship Program, a Gold Anvil Award winner for Specialized Public Relations Program, trains creative apprentices to push the boundaries of the global practices and emerging disciplines of New PR and Smart Social. Built by the agency’s pool of experts, Camp ComCo Mentorship Program is an intensive and comprehensive talent incubation initiative, industry linkage course, and apprenticeship program designed to transform communication, marketing, and multimedia arts students and fresh graduates into revolutionary practitioners of the industry. Presented in three phases: Skills Calibration, Strategic Communications Immersion, and Specialization Elective, the Camp ComCo curriculum is facilitated by ComCo Southeast Asia’s pool of marketing and communication experts and its network of industry prac-

titioners in the region. The program gives participants the opportunity to interact with experts in the field, work on actual communication projects, and learn about the latest trends in the industry. “We are a believer that it is not solely the school that defines the lifelong craft of a student, but more importantly it’s the kind of apprenticeship he will experience—the jumping board of what his life’s work will be,” said Ferdinand Bondoy, regional integration and chief executive director of ComCo SEA and creator of the mentorship program. In its third year, the Camp ComCo Mentorship Program was able to graduate 39 apprentices from 10 cycles, all of which hailing from various colleges and universities, such as University of the Philippines, University of The Camp ComCo Mentorship Program is an intensive and comprehensive talent incubation initiative, industry linkage course, and Santo Tomas, De La Salle University, apprenticeship program designed to transform communication, marketing, and multimedia arts students and fresh graduates into revolutionary practitioners of the industry.

Ateneo de Manila University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Trinity University of Asia, University of Perpetual Help Dalta, and Treston International Colleges, among others.

Most Camp ComCo graduates are and teaching in universities, passing now involved in communications, on what they learned in school and at marketing, and digital work in ComCo the camp. Southeast Asia and other companies as well as government institutions. Send an email to commandcenter@ Some are pursuing graduate studies comco-hq.com for inquiries.

10 shows to watch on Netflix this Pride Month CELEBRATE love in all its glorious own in America, a gay filmmaker doccolors with these shows now streaming uments his loving, traditional Chinese family’s process of acceptance. on Netflix. Happy Pride!

Queer Eye

From left: PSYSC president Kent Elmann Cadalin, STEM Expo guest relations head Jackie Lariosa, keynote speaker Dr. Maria Corazon De Ungria, and PSYSC marketing officer and STEM Expo director Isaiah Cabañero at the recent STEM Expo.

STEM Expo recognizes Filipino youth’s ingenuity WITH the theme “Embracing our Ingenuity, Engineering the Filipino Society,” the recently concluded STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Expo, hosted by the Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs, showcased the Filipino youth’s excellence and ingenuity. The expo featured i-Gen: Ideas Generation Hackathon (i-Gen Ideathon), i-Gen: Innovations Competition (i-Gen: Innovation), PSYSC Investigatory Projects Fair, Robotics Olympiad, Science Journalism, and Science Film Festival competitions. Saint Louis University-Laboratory Senior High School topped the i-Gen: Ideathon competition with their project entitled “Rice Guardian,” which also got the Best in Presentation and Best Presenter prizes. The same school bagged first runner-up for “iOne,” while Philippine Science High School-Cordillera Administrative Region won second runner-up for “Agmula.” Meanwhile, PSHS-CAR ruled the i-Gen: Innovation contest with “Wheelduino: An Arduino-Based Smart Wheelchair for Paraplegic Patients,” followed by Pasig City Science High School and SLU-LSH. Student researchers from the PSHS-Main Campus led the winners of the IP Fair with their project “Development of an iOS Application for Real-time Spectral Classification of Stars Based on a Convolutional Neutral Network,” which was also awarded Best in Exhibit and Best Presenter. PSHS-CAR and University of Baguio Science High School took the first and second runner-up spots, respectively.

In other contests, PSHS-CAR dominated the Robotics Olympiad, which was both a robotics projects exhibition and competition aimed at promoting the field to young Filipino students and to the public. Winning Best Picture, Best in Cinematography, and Best in Musical Score in the Science Film Festival was Tabaco National High School with their film “I Wonder Y,” which emphasized the importance of S&T in solving several issues in the country. Second Best Picture, Best Direction, and Best Screenplay went to PSHS-CAR with “Sapantaha” (Presumption), which highlights and promotes gender equality in S&T. The event also featured an open conference series dubbed “Teknolohiya, Agham, Kalikasan, Diwa at Ako” or TAKDA, which assembled scientists, academicians, researchers, business people, government officials, working professionals, and university students; an exhibition of science, technology, research, and development industry partners; and other activities that mainly caters to senior high school students. Keynote speaker and forensic scientist Dr. Maria Corazon De Ungria led the resource persons and workshop facilitators of the event. Since its foundation in 1971, the PSYSC has led the science clubbing movement and the promotion of S&T and the environment to elementary and secondary students in the country. The organization has been conducting positive, stimulating, and engaging activities and programs that enhance not only their academic knowledge but also environmental and social awareness.

Tales of The City

Mary Ann (Laura Linney) returns to present-day San Francisco and is reunited with her daughter Shawna (Ellen Page) and exhusband Brian (Paul Gross), 20 years after leaving them behind to pursue her career. Fleeing the midlife crisis that her pictureperfect Connecticut life created, Mary Ann is quickly drawn back into the orbit of Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis), her chosen family and a new generation of queer young residents living at 28 Barbary Lane.

Laugh, cry, and be inspired by the Fab Five, as they change the lives of men and women, touching on everything from LGBTQ+ rights, social comSpecial mentary, fashion, and how to whip up a Based on creator and star Ryan tasty avocado dish. Yaaas, henny! O’Connell’s memoir, it is a funny, heartwarming, and irreverent comedy RuPaul’s Drag about a gay young man with cerebral Race palsy who decides to go after the life he Shantay, you has always wanted. stay… and watch fabulous queens lipsync for their lives in this longrunning, Emmywinning reality show hosted by RuPaul.

Bonding

Chains, whips, and hilarious quips! For grad student/dominatrix Tiff (Zoe Levin) and her cash-strapped gay best friend Pete (Brendan Scannell), S&M is a business, not a pleasure. Well, maybe there’s a little pleasure. Their Trinkets professional relationship redefines their When three teenage girls from differ- friendship, but more importantly helps ent corners of the high school cafeteria them find themselves. find themselves in the same mandated Shoplifter’s Anonymous meeting, an unlikely friendship forms. Elodie (Brianna Hildebrand), the grieving misfit; Moe (Kiana Madeira), the mysterious outsider; and Tabitha (Quintessa Swindell), the imperfect picture of perfection, find strength in each other as they negotiate family issues, high school drama, and the complicated dilemma of trying to fit in while longing to break out.

Call Me By Your Name

Swoon and cry with this emotional and award-winning portrayal of first love between Elio (Timothée Chalamet) and Oliver (Armie Hammer). Luca Guadagnino’s coming-of-age drama earned multiple accolades, including a Best Picture nod and a Best Adapted Screenplay trophy at the Oscars.

Pose

From creator Ryan Murphy, Pose is a dance musical set in 1980s New York City, exploring the fabulous and fascinating world of LGBTQ+ ball culture. The groundbreaking series, All In My Family which largely stars a transgender cast, This documentary focuses on accept- was nominated for a Golden Globe for ance. After starting a family of his very Best Drama.

Will & Grace

Relive the LOLs all over again because all eight seasons of this classic sitcom is now streaming on Netflix. Join roommates Will and Grace as they search for Mr. Right with the help of their hilarious best friends, Karen and Jack.

Entertainment

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Action-filled... From C4 Shiela ValderramaMartine and Arman Ferrer portray the central characters in the 'Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical.'

Another artistic and cultural serving

INONDO, A Tsinoy Musical is set to strike back for a limited return on July 12 at the Theatre in Pasay City with a Gala Night at 8:00 p.m. at the Theatre in Pasay City. Thus, I cannot help but wonder, why we must feast on this musical anew? For starters, the Joel Lamangan directed musical went home with six victories in last year’s ALIW Awards—Best Original Musical Production, Best Stage Director (Musical) for Lamangan, Best Ensemble Performance, Best Composer for Original Musical Theater (Von de Guzman), Best Actress (Musical) for Carla GuevaraLaforteza, and Best Actor (Musical) for David Ezra. Your curiosity might be aroused with the fact that it has an epic storyline that spans two decades and in two countries. It highlights how everlasting love prevails even in times of racial prejudice, political turmoil, absence, and longing. Here, we all get to witness the power of true love that is deep, enduring and transformative. And yes, another reason for you to watch it, the time frame where the story happens, Manila’s pre-martial law days and the rise of communism in China. Of course, Von de Guzman’s soaring music and songs, to those who have experienced, you deﬁnitely want seconds, or thirds, even fourths of his musical creation. For ﬁrst-timers, his composition will make your hearts feel the many emotions brought about by love that is romantic,

unrequited, and platonic, love for family, even the so-called greatest love of all, love for one’s self. Part of Binondo’s deﬁnitive lure are its world-class singers namely, Shiela Valderrama-Martine who gives heart and voice to Lily, a Filipina night club singer, and Arman Ferrer portrays Ah Tiong, a mainland Chinese scholar. Lily and Ah Tiong fall head over hills in love, think of Filipina Juliet and Chinese Romeo and this time, it’s not their families who are at war, it’s their race and progeny. Adding more conﬂict is their version of Paris, Carlos, with Noel Rayos playing the loyal friend and will be Lily’s devoted partner. Martinez declares: “The musical is very relatable and very relevant even if the events happened during the ‘70s. I can assure the ones who are going to watch that they are going to fall in love with the characters and the music as well because the story is very Pinoy.” In agreement, Rayos adds, “Love is never gone to waste. I believe that’s what the people can take home from our story. Here we all get to witness the romantic kind of love, the love for country, love

for family and child, and yes the most passionate kind of love that deﬁes time and space.” “I am excited that I will be performing with Sheila again,” Ferrer enthuses. “Knowing that she is my partner, I know that the work at hand will be fun and exciting. When I learned that we will be having this repeat, saying yes to it is a no brainer.” He concludes, “Most of the people in Binondo, from my co-actors, ensemble, artistic and production staff, we were together since Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, the musical. We have become a family. Working with your family makes work not like work because there is so much love and respect, positive energies that give you the push to give your best.” Other cast members are Mariella Laurel (Jasmine), Ima Castro (Mrs. Dela Rosa), Ashley Mickaela Factor(Rubi),DondiOng(Mr.Chua),Kay Balajadia (Mrs. Chua), Jennifer dela Cruz (Lourdes), Elizabeth Chua (Mrs. Zhang), Russell Magno (Mr. Zhang), Jonel Mojica (Ge Lao), and Philip Deles (Swing). As storytellers are Jim Pebangco, Lorenz Martinez, Khalil Kaimo, Rhapsody Li, and Ellrica Laguardia. Offering their expertise to director Joel Lamangan and musical director and composer Von de Guzman are Rebecca Chuaunsu (original story), Douglas Nierras (Choreography) and Ricky Lee, Gershom Chua, and Eljay Castro Deldoc (book and lyrics). Maritess Alava-Yong Foundation fully supports Binondo: A Tsinoy Musical. For tickets, call Ticketworld, (891-9999).

Hotel Artemis (June 16) In 2028, there is a members-only hospital for criminals operating on the penthouse of an abandoned building in Los Angeles. It is run by the Nurse, a grizzled, no-nonsense healer played by Jodi Foster, whose performance in the film was deemed “Oscar-worthy” by critics. As riots rocked the city, a group of criminals sought shelter and medical treatment at Hotel Artemis. With a couple of bank robbers, a French assassin, an arms dealer, and an injured cop in the Nurse’s hands, the night only got more intense as the Wolf King came knocking with life-threatening injuries. The only thing holding the peace were the rules, which include “No killing of other guests.” But even with all their injuries, things could only get violent from here, and they did. Bad Samaritan (June 25) What happens when you try to steal from a bad man? Sean, a young valet, who’s in the habit of breaking into his customers’ homes while they have dinner, tries to rob a wealthy man’s home to find a woman chained and gagged in his office. It turns out Sean tried to rob a serial killer. He was forced to leave the terrified woman behind before he was found out and later reported what he saw to the police. And now Sean’s on the sadistic killer’s sights as he tries to save the woman he had left behind. Adrift (June 30) This movie is based on the true story of Tami Oldham and Richard Sharp — two experienced sailors were hired to bring a luxury yacht to San Diego from Tahiti but encountered one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history en route. In the aftermath of the hurricane, Tami found the boat in ruins and Richard overboard and badly injured. She managed to get Richard on the boat, but now they faced an open ocean with a broken radio and a damaged boat, no hope of rescue. “A needle in a blue haystack.” What followed was a journey of survival as Tami mustered up enough strength and determination to find a way to land or even just be found.

REAL WINNER? Bea Patricia Magtanong who represented Bataan in this year's edition of Binibining Pilipinas with last year's Bb. Pilipinas International winner Ahtisa Manalo.

Couch Potato... From C4

Very Wang... From C4

Tomorrow (June 16), The Clash is ready to discover aspirants in Batangas. Joining the auditions at Xentro Mall is screening panelist Jai Sabas-Aracama while The Clash alumni Garrett Bolden and Anthony Rosaldo will

have special performances. Meanwhile, the Manila-leg of the auditions will be held on June 21 at the Sky Dome, SM North EDSA, Quezon City. Jay Durias, Jai Sabas-Aracama, and Bert de Leon will form the screening panel, while Golden Cañedo, Jong Madaliday, and Garrett Bolden will be there as well to help inspire the hopefuls. The competition is open to all male and

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, June 15, 2019

ACROSS 1 What the hen did 5 Machu Picchu people 10 Went in the water 14 Hideous giant 15 “Peachy keen!” 16 The Green Hornet’s aide 17 Jezebel’s spouse 18 Common greeting 19 Sealed a deal 20 Get along 22 Skim milk’s lack 23 Monsieur’s refusal 24 Does road work 26 Trawler’s haul 28 Luxuriating in 32 Perpendicular 35 Snake River loc. 36 Real bargain 38 “People” person 40 Offers 42 Jaded 44 Paris papa 45 Public tiff 47 Oscar-winner — Kline 49 Prince Valiant’s son 50 Stretch of land 52 Abandoned

54 Kind of cheese 56 Lamb’s alias 57 Witty fellow 59 Bon — (witticism) 61 — Wendell Holmes Jr. 65 Rock’s Bon — 66 Used poor judgment 68 Lee of cakedom 69 Hot place 70 Scorpion attack 71 TV award 72 Arctic floater 73 Conical abode 74 Sauna sites DOWN 1 Crumbly soil 2 Ottoman title 3 Mideast country 4 Formal argument 5 Comes into money 6 Once named 7 Leg part 8 Ayn’s shrugger 9 Give comfort 10 Superficial (hyph.) 11 Texas town 12 Pharaoh’s god 13 Current 21 Lassies 25 Devious one

27 Eyebrow or rainbow 28 Teases 29 Law 30 “Star Wars” villain 31 Like some communities 33 Turf grabber 34 Earth, to Pierre 37 Embankment 39 Curve 41 Catching 43 Shake loose 46 Environmental prefix

48 Astronaut — Armstrong 51 Least exciting 53 Pay hikes 55 Rich cake 57 Intertwined 58 State firmly 60 Outing 62 Boot upper 63 Columnist — Bombeck 64 Moonbeams 65 Paid work 67 Map dir.

female Filipinos, amateur and professional singers, 16 years old and above. Interested applicants need to bring the original and photocopy of their birth certiﬁcate and one recent photo (4R half body). They also need to prepare at least two songs for the audition with minus-1 on a USB ﬂash drive. For more information, kindly follow The Clash’s Facebook page, @ TheClashGMA, for more details.

I am sad that Eddie Garcia remains in deep sleep. Let’s continue praying for his speedy recovery. The actor, I learned, was working on a new series for GMA Network and met an accident during the rehearsal for a scene. Things would have been different if a medic and an ambulance were on a stand by on the set. That’s how things are in American, British

and other European productions. Networks should not wait for things similar to Eddie Garcia’s accident to happen to do something. It’s the network’s responsibility to provide the best care for their actors, especially if those actors are already in their advanced age. Another thing that networks don’t provide the actors are insurance, especially if the series is physically demanding. That could have been solved if the director and producer agreed to use doubles instead in physically demanding scenes. I hope this incident could challenge the networks’ to implement safety standards to avoid similar incidents on the set. *** Someone called me the night after the Binibining Pilipinas crowned its recent winners in its annual pageant. The caller said, “You should know that Bea Patricia “Patch” Magtanong was the no. 1 in overall judging, according to one judge who was wondering why Gazini Ganados became the Miss Universe Philippines and Patch was just given the Miss International title.” I asked what happened? The caller said, “ I heard that someone from BPCI interfered and said that Patch couldn’t win the Miss U title because she is a green card holder.” I said, “That’s ridiculous! Catriona Gray is a Filipino Australian and Pia Wurtzbach is German Filipino, and Patch is just a green card holder. She’s not even a citizen.” Well, that was the excuse given to the judges who allegedly changed their choice to make the girl from Talisay win the Miss U Philippines title. If this were true, BPCI has a lot of explaining to do.

Entertainment

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019

COUCH POTATO IVY ROSSINI

Best Wedding Ideas

Ultimate search for the next

TV AND MOVIE STARS IS BACK

'StarStruck' host Dingdong Dantes (2nd from left), with council members Cherie Gil (center), Heart Evangelista, and Jose Manalo, and 'Inside StarStruck' host Kyline Alcantara (leftmost) pose for the cameras during the reality search's grand media conference held Monday.

FEW reality TV icons have become some of the biggest celebrities in Philippine showbiz today. While others have faded into obscurity, those who dreamt for the stars and believed in their talents have survived. Sounds familiar? Well, that’s the tagline of StarStruck, “dream, believe, survive.” The talent reality search that started it all is back. GMA Network brings forth a brand new season of its original reality-based artista search, which still hosted by Dingdong Dantes and Jennylyn Mercado, who was a product of the program’s first season. For the new season, StarStuck introduces a tougher, more exciting competition that promises diverse and entertaining challenges, a thrilling judging system, reallife drama, and interesting reality-based stories as hopefuls compete to become the next Ultimate Female and Male Survivors. No less than three of the entertainment industry’s most respected personalities – Heart Evangelista, Cherie Gil, and Jose Manalo – will take their seats as this season’s StarStruck Council. As judges, they will be mentoring the finalists and be involved in the story-telling of the program. Young actress Kyline Alcantara joins the program as the StarStruck Insider, the host of Starstruck’s online show, Inside StarStruck. It premieres on June 10 on the show’s official Youtube channel every Monday to Friday at 6:00 p.m.. Out of thousands of auditionees across the country, 11 boys and 11 girls were chosen through a series of demanding tests dubbed as the ‘StarStruck Experience’. After the grueling process, these 22 hopefuls will face their final audition on the pilot episode as they compete

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

for a rightful spot in the Final 14. Viewers will be able to vote and take part in the judging process as they watch the ﬁnalists physically transform on-air through workshops and challenges to help them look and perform better as the reality search unfolds every week. Dream, believe, and survive anew with StarStruck Season 7 beginning June 15, every Saturday after Daddy’s Gurl and every Sunday after Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko, on GMA-7. Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com. *** ‘The Clash’ auditions in Cebu, Batangas and Metro Manila More and more Filipinos are auditioning for the much awaited Season 2 of GMA Network’s hit singing competition The Clash. Today, Cebuano hopefuls who aspire to follow the footsteps of fellow Cebuana and The Clash Season 1 Grand Champion Golden Cañedo are encouraged to join the auditions at Robinsons Galleria from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.. Director Bert de Leon will be a part of the screening panel while balladeer Christian Bautista and Jong Madaliday will be serenading the crowd in the Queen City of the South. Continued on C3

'StarStruck' season 1 Ultimate Female Survivor Jennylyn Mercado joins the program's latest season as one of its hosts.

Action-filled June on FOX+ KathNiel, LizQuen, other ABS-CBN films to premiere in China Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla in a scene from the 2016 blockbuster film, 'Barcelona.'

HIT Filipino movies from ABS-CBN will soon make its way to China for the ﬁrst time via Phoenix Movie Channel, after the network successfully inked a milestone deal with Phoenix Satellite Television, a leading entertainment group that aims to provide Chinese everywhere with highquality content. Sixteen ABS-CBN titles that will premiere starting September this year include Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo’s 2016 box ofﬁce hit, Barcelona: A Love Untold. Dramas and rom-coms that are also well recognized overseas given their international theatrical and OTT releases such as Four Sisters and a Wedding, My Ex and Whys, You’re My Boss, Everything About Her, and Can’t Help Falling In Love, are part of the lineup that will soon be seen on Phoenix Movie Channel. Phoenix is also bringing to China other rom-coms that have made a mark in Filipino pop culture for their relevant themes, like Love You To The

Stars and Back, Dear Other Self, My Perfect You, To Love Some Buddy, Can We Still Be Friends, Always Be My Maybe, The Achy Breaky Hearts, and First Love. Completing the list is the restored Filipino classic, Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, and the romantic-drama, Kasal. ABS-CBN’s content, popular for their heartfelt Filipino stories, are available across other territories through ABS-CBN International Distribution, recognized in the global arena as a reliable foreign content provider. It has been a premier source of highquality Filipino programming in over 50 territories all over the world and has sold over 50,000 hours of content worldwide. Living up to this recognition, ABS-CBN International Distribution commits to add to its ﬁrst line-up of high-caliber programs and movies with cast and storylines that appeal to various cultures. Visit https:// www.abs-cbn.com/internationalsales/ about for more details.

IN TERMS of pure entertainment, few things come close to action movies. With larger than life characters, high stakes, guns, and explosions, this genre has them all. And FOX+’s lineup of movies this month promises to get your heart racing and your butt at the edge of your seat. Hunter Killer (June 2) What would happen if a rogue Russian minister gets his hands on his country’s weapons of mass destruction and kidnaps Russian President? It could be the beginning of World War III. It’s a good thing then that American submarine Captain Joe Glass and his crew happen to be on a hunt for another U.S. submarine in distress in the Arctic Ocean. Upon learning that a secret Russian coup is threatening to dismantle the world order, Glass and his elite group of Navy SEALs set out to sneak through hostile waters to rescue the kidnapped Russian President and stop World War III from happening. Asher (June 11) What happens when a contract killer lives long enough to get old and start to consider settling down? Asher is good at his job, but he’s getting old. So far, he’s lived a life of lonely existence, ﬁnding pleasure out of ﬁne wine and food, and resenting his apprentice, who was starting to eclipse him. It seemed a pointless life for Asher until he meets Sophie, and that meeting turned his life upside down, with a desire to his bloody past behind him. If only he could get out of the business that easily. Continued om C3

The Philippine Wedding Summit 2019 creative director Henry Pascual

THE Philippine Wedding Summit 2019, The Biggest and Grandest Midyear Wedding Fair, opens its door to brides and grooms on June 22 and 23. It will be a big celebration featuring more than 300 of the Philippines’ finest wedding suppliers at the Ground Floor of the SMX Mall of Asia. Produced and organized by Themes & Motifs, the country’s most prestigious wedding fair organizer, The Philippine Wedding Summit will highlight thousands of the latest wedding ideas, products, and services in a two-day fiesta of wedding fineries. Brides and grooms-to-be and their guests can download e-tickets for free entrance and more details about the two-day grand event through www.themesnmotifs.com. Free tickets are also available from participating exhibitors. Themes & Motifs rebrands itself as The Wedding Inspirations Co. to better convey its advocacy to bring dream weddings to life through its events, website, & publications. In PWS 2019, it will launch its feature-rich website with the latest and best wedding ideas, promos, and discounts, and access to Inspirations for Weddings eMagazine. Soon to weds can post and upload their wedding planning blogs as well as their pre-nup photos in the all-new free website. A gifts registry section to enable soon-to-weds to receive gifts from relatives and friends is also included. On the other hand, wedding suppliers may easily post their promos, ideas, and photo/video galleries absolutely free. Mega hotel and posh wedding banquet venue City of Dreams Manila joins The Philippine Wedding Summit 2019 as a Major Sponsor. It joins local industry big names such as Goldenhills Jewelry, Hizon’s Catering, and Niceprint Photography to showcase their latest wedding packages for today’s upwardly mobile and well-traveled soon-to-weds. Top event stylist, antique collector, and most sought after visual merchandising guru Henry Pascual is this year’s official creative director and event stylist. A special Half-A-Million Pesos promo awaits all soon-to-weds who will book their favorite wedding suppliers in PWS 2019. Every P1,000 booked at the event will be entitled to a raffle coupon for a chance to win P500,000.00 in cash. Other minor prizes will be drawn by the hour in special mini raffle draws intended to add excitement to the fun and exciting wedding fair. Hizon’s Catering will treat soonto-weds to a sumptuous sampling of their tried and tested menu selection as well as new culinary delights from their kitchen in a grand food tasting session right inside the main exhibit hall of PWS 2019. As a special treat to wedding suppliers and soon-to-weds, a special seminar series will be conducted for free by Henry Pascual who will discuss in separate sessions the latest trends for soon-to-weds and valuable business tips for wedding suppliers. Continued on C3